Physicist Salary in Boulder, CO
Physicists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $104,580 a year — 39% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,509 take-home, or $6,542 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physicist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,178
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,484
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,516
- Colorado income tax$3,893
- Take-home pay$78,509
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Physicist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,340 | $39.59 | $63,842 | $5,320 |
| 25th percentile | $82,340 | $39.59 | $63,842 | $5,320 |
| Median (50th) | $104,580 | $50.28 | $78,509 | $6,542 |
| 75th percentile | $168,240 | $80.88 | $119,564 | $9,964 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $137,461 | $11,455 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,580 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physicist's $78,509 take-home pay has the buying power of $74,627 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 33.9× the national concentration of physicist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physicists, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #6 of 7 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $181,970 | $125,947 | $111,890 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $171,580 | $116,925 | $107,385 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $173,450 | $115,663 | $104,745 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $160,270 | $108,052 | $95,144 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $137,140 | $98,358 | $94,944 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $104,580 | $78,509 | $74,627 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $106,000 | $78,321 | $72,341 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 7 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Boulder, CO?
The median physicist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $104,580 a year, or about $50.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,340 and $168,240.
What is a physicist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $104,580 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $78,509 a year ($6,542 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,893 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a physicist?
Pay here is 39% below the national median of $172,250. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $74,627 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #6 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physicist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median physicist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist — $121,870
- Chemist — $105,590
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $65,260