Physicist Salary in Raleigh, NC — 2026
Physicist salary data for Raleigh, NC — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The median Physicist salary in Raleigh, NC is $135,660 per year ($11,305/month, $65/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 102, which is 2% above the national average.
Physicist Take-Home Pay in Raleigh
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $135,660 |
| Federal Tax | -$21,292 |
| State Tax (4.3%) | -$5,766 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$10,378 |
| Annual Take-Home | $98,224 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $8,185 |
Living Cost Comparison
Physicist Requirements
Key Skills
Raleigh Job Market Overview
Raleigh, North Carolina has a population of 467,665 and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. The top industries are Technology, Government, Education. The local job growth rate is 3.0%, and the average commute time is 24 minutes.
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Physicist Salary in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Salary Percentile Breakdown — Physicist in Raleigh
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Physicist in Raleigh, NC, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $73,440 | $35/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $104,550 | $50/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $135,660 | $65/hr | Mid-career, 2-5 years postdoc |
| 75th | $169,320 | $81/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $223,380 | $107/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Physicist compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Raleigh's Technology sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Physicist salaries in Raleigh have grown approximately 17.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Physicist can expect a 14.9% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 6 years in Raleigh. Negotiation, certifications (PhD in Physics, Postdoctoral Training), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Raleigh vs National Average
The national median Physicist salary is $133,000. In Raleigh, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $135,660 is 2.0% above the national figure. This reflects Raleigh's cost of living index of 102 (higher than the national average of 100).
For Physicists, this means: rent typically consumes 18.3% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Raleigh costs about 3.9× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Raleigh.
Industry Context: Technology in Raleigh
Raleigh's economy is anchored by Technology, Government, Education, with 467,665 residents and 2.8% unemployment as of 2026. Physicists working in the Technology sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 3.0%, and Physicist occupations specifically are projected to grow 8.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Physicist salaries in Raleigh, NC:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Raleigh index of 102 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), NC state income tax of 4.3%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Raleigh QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Raleigh unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Physicist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Technology vs others in Raleigh), specific skill set (Quantum Mechanics, Data Analysis, MATLAB), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physicist salary in Raleigh, NC?
How much does a Physicist take home in Raleigh after taxes?
Is Raleigh a good city for Physicists?
What skills are needed for a Physicist in Raleigh?
How does Physicist salary in Raleigh compare to the national average?
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- Amortio: Home Affordability — what home you can buy on this income
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physicist salary in Raleigh, NC?
The median Physicist salary in Raleigh, NC is $135,660 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 102. Entry-level Physicists earn around $73,440, while senior-level professionals can earn $169,320 or more.
How much does a Physicist take home in Raleigh after taxes?
A Physicist earning the median salary of $135,660 in Raleigh, NC takes home approximately $98,224 per year ($8,185/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 27.6%.
Is Raleigh a good city for Physicists?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 102 (above national average). Physicists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 2.8% and top industries include Technology, Government, Education.
What skills are needed for a Physicist in Raleigh?
Key skills for Physicists include Quantum Mechanics, Data Analysis, MATLAB, Computational Physics, Research. Typical education requirement is Doctoral Degree (PhD). Valuable certifications include PhD in Physics, Postdoctoral Training.
How does Physicist salary in Raleigh compare to the national average?
The national median Physicist salary is $133,000. In Raleigh, the adjusted salary is $135,660, which is 2.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.