Physicists Hourly Pay
As of May 2025, the median hourly wage for physicists in the United States was $82.81, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Hourly Wage Percentiles
| Percentile | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39.48 |
| 25th | $53.71 |
| Median | $82.81 |
| 75th | $107.10 |
| 90th | $131.79 |
Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physicists make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $82.81; the mean hourly wage is $82.30.
What is the entry-level hourly pay for physicists?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $39.48 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.
What is the top hourly pay for physicists?
Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $131.79 per hour.