Physicists pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for physicists is $82.81 an hour ($172,250 a year). About 20,430 people work in this job there.
Pay range for physicists in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $39.48 | $82,110 |
| 25% of workers | $53.71 | $111,720 |
| Half of workers (median) | $82.81 | $172,250 |
| 75% of workers | $107.10 | $222,760 |
| 90% of workers | $131.79 | $274,110 |
Best-paying states for physicists
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | 230 |
| California | $207,490 | 5,930 |
| Oregon | $200,320 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | 40 |
| Texas | $184,040 | 580 |
| New York | $181,970 | 1,140 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | 60 |
Pay by state
- California · $207,490
- Colorado · $104,580
- Illinois · $137,140
- Maryland · $174,390
- Massachusetts · $106,410
- Michigan · $94,520
- New Mexico · $165,340
- New York · $181,970
- Ohio · $162,900
- Texas · $184,040
- Virginia · $145,040
Education, experience and outlook for physicists
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: +7.2% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $91,240 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $99,070 |
| Materials Scientists | $117,790 |
| Hydrologists | $96,600 |
| Astronomers | $128,820 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.