How much does a physicist make?
The median physicist in the United States earns $172,250 per year, about $82.81 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all physicists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-2012.
Physicist salary range
Pay for physicists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $82,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $274,110. The average (mean) wage is $171,180, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $82,110 | $39.48 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $111,720 | $53.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $172,250 | $82.81 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $222,760 | $107.10 | |
| 90th percentile | $274,110 | $131.79 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for physicists (SOC 19-2012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Physicist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Physicists earn the most in Florida at $225,390 a year, and the least in Delaware at $82,590. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Iowa | $178,110 | 110 |
| Maryland | $174,390 | 1,200 |
| North Carolina | $174,180 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $173,120 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $171,220 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $166,240 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $165,340 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $165,010 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $163,270 | 470 |
| Ohio | $162,900 | 630 |
| District of Columbia | $157,040 | 480 |
| Utah | $156,760 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | $155,150 | N/A |
| Nevada | $154,030 | 50 |
| Virginia | $145,040 | 940 |
| Georgia | $144,870 | 160 |
| Missouri | $140,460 | 90 |
| Alabama | $139,330 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $138,400 | 420 |
| Illinois | $137,140 | 1,590 |
| Arkansas | $135,820 | 60 |
| Idaho | $135,150 | N/A |
| Washington | $134,790 | 450 |
| Arizona | $130,500 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $129,970 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $117,190 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $106,410 | 1,150 |
| Indiana | $105,940 | 230 |
| Colorado | $104,580 | 1,050 |
| Montana | $103,800 | 30 |
| Michigan | $94,520 | 510 |
| South Dakota | $83,050 | 30 |
| Delaware | $82,590 | 50 |
State median wages for physicists (SOC 19-2012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for physicists
The BLS projects employment of physicists to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 23,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 24,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,300 openings a year for physicists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a physicist
The typical entry-level education for physicists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a physicist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Florida, $225,390) and the lowest (Delaware, $82,590) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 20,430 people work as physicists in the United States. At $172,250 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Physicist salary FAQ
How much does a physicist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a physicist is $82.81. The middle half of physicists earn between $53.71 and $107.10 per hour.
What is the highest physicist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of physicists earn more than $274,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a physicist make a year?
The median annual salary for a physicist is $172,250. The average (mean) wage is $171,180, close to the median.
Is being a physicist a well paid job?
At $172,250 a year, a physicist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 20,430 people work as physicists in the United States.
Which state pays physicists the most?
Florida has the highest median salary for physicists at $225,390 a year. New Hampshire ($214,030) and Pennsylvania ($210,990) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a physicist a good career?
Employment of physicists is projected to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a physicist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for physicists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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