Physicist Salary in 2026
Physicists explore the fundamental properties of matter, energy, and the forces of nature. They conduct experiments, develop theories, and apply physics to solve practical problems.
Median Salary
$133,000
$11,083/mo
Entry Level
$72,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$166,000
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
Physicist Overview
Physicists explore the fundamental properties of matter, energy, and the forces of nature. They conduct experiments, develop theories, and apply physics to solve practical problems.
Education
Doctoral Degree (PhD)
Experience
2-5 years postdoc
Industry
Science
Total Jobs (US)
20K
5-Year Growth
+17%
Category
Science
Hourly Rate
$63.94/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,083
Physicist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Physicist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Physicist Salary
$134,000
$11,167/month · $5,154/biweekly · $64.42/hr
Physicist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Physicist field.
Entry-level Physicists earn around $72,000, while the top 10% earn $192,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Physicists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $157,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $153,000 | +$20,000 |
| Massachusetts | $149,000 | +$16,000 |
| Maryland | $144,000 | +$11,000 |
| Illinois | $138,000 | +$5,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Physicists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $166,000 | +$33,000 |
| Bethesda | $157,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $157,000 | +$24,000 |
| Boston | $149,000 | +$16,000 |
| Chicago | $140,000 | +$7,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Physicist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Physicist from entry level to expert.
$72,000
0-2 years
$119,000
3-7 years
$166,000
8-14 years
$219,000
15+ years
Related Science Jobs
Physicist Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Physicist Salary
How we calculate Physicist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $133,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Physicist in the Science sector.
- Entry-level ($72,000) and senior-level ($166,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +8% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 20K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 17% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Science sector wages.
- Education requirement: Doctoral Degree (PhD), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $133,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Physicist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Physicist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Science
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Physicist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Quantum Mechanics, Data Analysis, MATLAB), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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