Physicists Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 19-2012$172,250
US median (annual)
$171,180
US mean (annual)
$82,110
10th percentile
$274,110
90th percentile
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for physicists in the United States is $172,250 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 20,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Before interviews, many candidates work through interview preparation guides for this kind of role.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,110 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $111,720 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $172,250 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $222,760 | Experienced |
| 90th | $274,110 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
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Physicists interview questions
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 | $219,910 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | $208,970 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $191,120 | 230 |
| California | $207,490 | $201,930 | 6,000 |
| Oregon | $200,320 | $207,370 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | $162,530 | 40 |
| Texas | $184,040 | $176,530 | 580 |
| New York | $181,970 | $182,580 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | $179,250 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | $200,450 | 60 |
| Iowa | $178,110 | $176,230 | 110 |
| Maryland | $174,390 | $166,770 | 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $174,180 | $153,120 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $173,120 | $181,180 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $171,220 | $201,530 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $166,240 | $152,750 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $165,340 | $176,680 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $165,010 | $171,070 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $163,270 | $175,090 | 470 |
| Ohio | $162,900 | $172,300 | 630 |
| District of Columbia | $157,040 | $156,320 | 480 |
| Utah | $156,760 | $165,140 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | $155,150 | $169,270 | — |
| Nevada | $154,030 | $151,470 | 50 |
| Virginia | $145,040 | $159,320 | 940 |
| Georgia | $144,870 | $179,130 | 160 |
| Missouri | $140,460 | $156,130 | 90 |
| Alabama | $139,330 | $147,580 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $138,400 | $159,280 | 420 |
| Illinois | $137,140 | $139,780 | 2,000 |
| Arkansas | $135,820 | $146,880 | 60 |
| Idaho | $135,150 | $148,780 | — |
| Washington | $134,790 | $149,060 | 450 |
| Arizona | $130,500 | $159,730 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $129,970 | $137,740 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $117,190 | $177,940 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $106,410 | $130,250 | 1,000 |
| Indiana | $105,940 | $132,050 | 230 |
| Colorado | $104,580 | $128,830 | 1,000 |
| Montana | $103,800 | $125,680 | 30 |
| Michigan | $94,520 | $135,340 | 510 |
| South Dakota | $83,050 | $108,270 | 30 |
| Delaware | $82,590 | $133,760 | 50 |
Salary data is sourced from BLS OES May 2025. Figures represent gross pay before tax. This page is for reference only.
Recommended Gear & Prep
Negotiating the offer? A salary negotiation guide helps you anchor to the percentiles above.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18