Physicist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Physicists Make?
Physicists earn a median annual salary of $166,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $80,020 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $159,180. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $222,550.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $80,020 |
| 25th percentile | $117,450 |
| Median (50th) | $166,290 |
| 75th percentile | $210,260 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Physicist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $222,550 |
| Florida | $209,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $208,470 |
| Arizona | $190,960 |
| Oregon | $183,860 |
| California | $180,900 |
| Missouri | $180,450 |
| New Hampshire | $179,440 |
| New Mexico | $175,960 |
| New York | $174,160 |
| Wisconsin | $174,010 |
| Tennessee | $173,660 |
| Connecticut | $171,630 |
| North Carolina | $170,690 |
| Texas | $170,450 |
| Kentucky | $168,660 |
| New Jersey | $168,610 |
| Virginia | $164,180 |
| Maryland | $163,950 |
| Massachusetts | $153,890 |
| District of Columbia | $153,340 |
| Colorado | $144,670 |
| Ohio | $135,550 |
| Utah | $133,900 |
| Idaho | $132,060 |
| Arkansas | $131,880 |
| Georgia | $131,500 |
| Illinois | $131,260 |
| South Carolina | $131,100 |
| Iowa | $120,810 |
| Mississippi | $120,640 |
| Washington | $120,080 |
| Nevada | $116,080 |
| Alabama | $114,690 |
| Maine | $114,610 |
| Indiana | $110,410 |
| Michigan | $107,640 |
| Oklahoma | $84,570 |
| Delaware | $82,780 |
| South Dakota | $78,390 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Physicists
Physicist 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) | ~$80,020 – $117,450 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$166,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$210,260 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Physicist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Physicists in Cleveland, OH earn $225,930 — $59,640 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($210,260) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Physicist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Physicistthis career | $166,290 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $140,910 |
| Mathematician | $121,680 |
| Statistician | $103,300 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,830 |
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SOC: 19-2012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.