The average salary for a physicist in the United States is $158,270, but the range typically falls between $112,610 and $186,330. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $76.09, with a range between $54.14 and $89.58.
There are approximately 18,350 people employed as a physicist in the United States. With California, Maryland, Colorado employing the highest number of physicists.The state with the best pay for a physicist is Arizona, with an average annual salary of $183,710, while Iowa has the lowest average annual salary of $142,960.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,610 | $54.14 |
| Median | $155,680 | $74.85 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,330 | $89.58 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,940 | $111.99 |
The salary of a physicist can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a physicist in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for physicists are Arizona, Georgia, Oregon, California, New York while the worst states are Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Washington, Minnesota.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $73,150 | $130,670 | $214,020 |
| Arizona | $89,980 | $183,710 | $237,490 |
| Arkansas | $102,520 | $133,310 | $169,430 |
| California | $109,320 | $176,610 | $224,900 |
| Colorado | $96,180 | $142,670 | $177,800 |
| Connecticut | $74,980 | $163,960 | >$239,200 |
| District of Columbia | $80,950 | $136,570 | $183,500 |
| Florida | $83,010 | $167,460 | >$239,200 |
| Georgia | $77,720 | $178,170 | >$239,200 |
| Idaho | $85,570 | $145,010 | $212,110 |
| Illinois | $77,730 | $147,790 | $224,190 |
| Indiana | $60,490 | $140,130 | >$239,200 |
| Iowa | $53,040 | $142,960 | >$239,200 |
| Kentucky | $52,820 | $131,130 | $214,340 |
| Maine | $102,480 | $150,590 | $226,690 |
| Maryland | $78,580 | $143,970 | $199,220 |
| Massachusetts | $98,280 | $161,950 | $217,470 |
| Michigan | $60,850 | $127,490 | $217,340 |
| Minnesota | $66,370 | $134,560 | $227,250 |
| Mississippi | $59,960 | $110,310 | $177,960 |
| Missouri | $85,570 | $171,740 | >$239,200 |
| Nevada | $82,830 | $126,050 | $152,400 |
| New Hampshire | $68,990 | $142,800 | >$239,200 |
| New Jersey | $95,540 | $177,010 | >$239,200 |
| New Mexico | $127,960 | $180,600 | >$239,200 |
| New York | $73,510 | $168,430 | >$239,200 |
| North Carolina | $63,580 | $146,250 | $224,000 |
| Ohio | $76,430 | $153,730 | >$239,200 |
| Oklahoma | $57,990 | $155,870 | >$239,200 |
| Oregon | $77,560 | $169,720 | >$239,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,300 | $169,550 | >$239,200 |
| Rhode Island | $84,700 | $168,680 | >$239,200 |
| South Carolina | $83,980 | $145,090 | $210,540 |
| Tennessee | $61,610 | $128,820 | $220,750 |
| Utah | $54,800 | $151,200 | >$239,200 |
| Virginia | $89,200 | $138,850 | $206,270 |
| Washington | $65,770 | $120,050 | $184,630 |
| Wisconsin | $84,410 | $160,470 | >$239,200 |
Even between cities, the salary of a physicist can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for physicists is Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area, NM with an average salary of $199,800.The city with the lowest average salary for physicists is Lansing-East Lansing area, MI with an average salary of $85,610.
Areas with highest average salaries for physicists
Areas with lowest average salaries for physicists
The number of physicists in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of physicists has increased by 2,190. On average, the number of physicists has been increasing by 3.4% each year. The salary of physicists has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of physicists has increased by $20,570. On average, the salary of physicists has been increasing by 3.7% each year.
Physicists are part of the life, physical, and social science occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for physicists compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all life, physical, and social science occupations jobs here.
$96,410 per year
$112,380 per year
$106,710 per year
$66,670 per year
$101,520 per year
$75,740 per year
