Physicist Salary
Physicists earn a median $172,250 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$172,250
$82.81 per hour
Range
$82,110 – $239,200+
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
20,430
across the U.S.
Physicist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$128,999
per year · effective tax rate 25.1%
$10,750Monthly
$5,375Twice a month
$4,961Every 2 weeks
$62.02Hourly
- Federal income tax$30,074
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,680
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,498
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$128,999
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,110 | $39.48 | $66,594 |
| 25th percentile | $111,720 | $53.71 | $87,425 |
| Median (50th) | $172,250 | $82.81 | $128,999 |
| 75th percentile | $222,760 | $107.10 | $165,299 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $274,110+ | $131.78 | $198,957 |
Best cities for physicists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $181,970 | $125,947 | $111,890 | 1,070 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $171,580 | $116,925 | $107,385 | 1,520 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $173,450 | $115,663 | $104,745 | 440 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $160,270 | $108,052 | $95,144 | 550 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $137,140 | $98,358 | $94,944 | 1,510 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $104,580 | $78,509 | $74,627 | 860 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $106,000 | $78,321 | $72,341 | 1,060 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $181,970
- San Jose, CA — $173,450
- Washington, DC — $171,580
- Los Angeles, CA — $160,270
- Chicago, IL — $137,140
- Boston, MA — $106,000
- Boulder, CO — $104,580
Physicist salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 | $167,026 | $113,240 – $239,200+ | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | $159,260 | $96,760 – $239,200+ | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $150,544 | $88,300 – $239,200+ | 230 |
| California | $207,490 | $136,679 | $125,390 – $239,200+ | 5,930 |
| Oregon | $200,320 | $131,632 | $104,370 – $239,200+ | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | $140,507 | $61,380 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| Texas | $184,040 | $137,057 | $69,960 – $239,200+ | 580 |
| New York | $181,970 | $125,947 | $80,000 – $239,200+ | 1,140 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | $128,704 | $65,860 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | $125,833 | $104,750 – $239,200+ | 60 |
| Iowa | $178,110 | $126,888 | $83,830 – $239,200+ | 110 |
| Maryland | $174,390 | $122,220 | $105,560 – $219,450 | 1,200 |
| North Carolina | $174,180 | $123,877 | $64,050 – $239,200+ | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $173,120 | $121,799 | $89,310 – $239,200+ | 180 |
| Minnesota | $171,220 | $117,687 | $131,870 – $239,200+ | 110 |
| Louisiana | $166,240 | $120,290 | $85,360 – $214,090 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $165,340 | $117,505 | $120,720 – $235,180 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $165,010 | $124,050 | $88,610 – $239,200+ | 240 |
| New Jersey | $163,270 | $114,651 | $100,490 – $239,200+ | 470 |
| Ohio | $162,900 | $118,911 | $64,860 – $239,200+ | 630 |
| District of Columbia | $157,040 | $108,223 | $86,820 – $202,360 | 480 |
| Utah | $156,760 | $112,323 | $64,090 – $239,200+ | 30 |
| Rhode Island | $155,150 | $111,543 | $86,340 – $239,200+ | — |
| Nevada | $154,030 | $116,546 | $102,580 – $220,070 | 50 |
| Virginia | $145,040 | $102,875 | $97,720 – $238,570 | 940 |
| Georgia | $144,870 | $103,389 | $79,860 – $239,200+ | 160 |
| Missouri | $140,460 | $101,606 | $70,550 – $239,200+ | 90 |
| Alabama | $139,330 | $99,797 | $74,290 – $227,790 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $138,400 | $98,716 | $106,510 – $228,440 | 420 |
| Illinois | $137,140 | $98,358 | $81,830 – $221,380 | 1,590 |
| Arkansas | $135,820 | $99,015 | $110,390 – $214,000 | 60 |
| Idaho | $135,150 | $97,586 | $85,110 – $199,990 | — |
| Washington | $134,790 | $103,395 | $77,860 – $238,430 | 450 |
| Arizona | $130,500 | $97,409 | $102,160 – $239,200+ | 120 |
| Mississippi | $129,970 | $95,634 | $64,980 – $219,440 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $117,190 | $83,897 | $77,190 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $106,410 | $78,589 | $82,050 – $213,150 | 1,150 |
| Indiana | $105,940 | $80,263 | $64,000 – $220,040 | 230 |
| Colorado | $104,580 | $78,509 | $82,340 – $210,950 | 1,050 |
| Montana | $103,800 | $77,350 | $53,500 – $237,520 | 30 |
| Michigan | $94,520 | $71,558 | $64,380 – $239,200+ | 510 |
| South Dakota | $83,050 | $67,256 | $53,910 – $180,690 | 30 |
| Delaware | $82,590 | $62,822 | $64,570 – $239,200+ | 50 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make?
The national median salary for physicists is $172,250 a year ($82.81 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,110 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays physicists the most?
Florida has the highest median pay at $225,390. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many physicists are there in the U.S.?
About 20,430 people work as physicists nationwide.