Physicists Salary (2025)
Based on 20,430 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $82,110 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $111,720 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $172,250 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $222,760 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $274,110 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$82K
25th
$112K
Median
$172K
75th
$223K
90th
$274K
Highest Paying States for Physicists
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Florida | $219,910 |
| New Hampshire | $208,970 |
| Oregon | $207,370 |
| California | $201,930 |
| Minnesota | $201,530 |
| Connecticut | $200,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $191,120 |
| New York | $182,580 |
| Wisconsin | $181,180 |
| Kentucky | $179,250 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Physicists salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Florida at an average of $219,910 per year, while Kentucky has an average of $179,250 — a difference of $40,660. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Physicists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20,430 workers were employed as Physicistss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. The annual mean wage of $171,180 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 19-2012