Physicists Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for physicists in the U.S. is $172,250 ($82.81 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $172,250
- Mean annual wage
- $171,180
- Median hourly wage
- $82.81
- Employment
- 20,430
20,430 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| 25th percentile | $111,720 | $53.71 |
| Median (50th) | $172,250 | $82.81 |
| 75th percentile | $222,760 | $107.10 |
| 90th percentile | $274,110 | $131.79 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | 230 |
| California | $207,490 | 5,930 |
| Oregon | $200,320 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | 40 |
| Texas | $184,040 | 580 |
| New York | $181,970 | 1,140 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | 60 |
Lowest-paying states
- Delaware: $82,590 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $83,050 median annual wage
- Michigan: $94,520 median annual wage
- Montana: $103,800 median annual wage
- Colorado: $104,580 median annual wage
About this occupation
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Typical tasks
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
- Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
- Teach physics to students.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 20.9% |
| Master's degree | 24.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 55.0% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
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- Chemists$91,240
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- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62,280
- Biological Technicians$57,510
- School Psychologists$95,990
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.