Physical Scientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Physical Scientists Make?
Physical Scientists earn a median annual salary of $117,960 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $61,990 at the 10th percentile to $191,880 at the 90th percentile — a range of $129,890. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $167,110.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,990 |
| 25th percentile | $82,450 |
| Median (50th) | $117,960 |
| 75th percentile | $154,900 |
| 90th percentile | $191,880 |
Physical Scientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $167,110 |
| District of Columbia | $157,980 |
| Massachusetts | $143,640 |
| Maryland | $143,210 |
| North Dakota | $138,430 |
| Washington | $135,080 |
| South Carolina | $134,430 |
| Georgia | $131,770 |
| Alabama | $131,560 |
| Colorado | $130,290 |
| California | $128,250 |
| Virginia | $128,040 |
| New Mexico | $127,090 |
| Florida | $122,600 |
| Arizona | $119,920 |
| Kansas | $114,820 |
| New York | $114,430 |
| Alaska | $114,120 |
| Tennessee | $113,730 |
| North Carolina | $111,490 |
| Hawaii | $111,380 |
| Missouri | $111,170 |
| Oklahoma | $110,300 |
| Oregon | $109,120 |
| Illinois | $108,630 |
| Utah | $106,850 |
| Mississippi | $105,500 |
| Michigan | $105,480 |
| Ohio | $102,750 |
| New Jersey | $102,350 |
| Nebraska | $99,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,860 |
| Texas | $98,460 |
| Wisconsin | $93,910 |
| Idaho | $89,860 |
| Montana | $85,160 |
| New Hampshire | $85,030 |
| Kentucky | $80,870 |
| Iowa | $79,790 |
| Louisiana | $74,990 |
| Wyoming | $65,960 |
| Indiana | $64,300 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Physical Scientists
Physical Scientist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$61,990 – $82,450 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$117,960 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$154,900 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $191,880+ |
How to Earn More as a Physical Scientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Physical Scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $174,810 — $56,850 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($154,900) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 19-2099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.