Physicists Salary by State
The national median pay for physicists is $172,250 a year. By state, it ranges from $82,590 in Delaware to $225,390 in Florida.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $82,110
- 25th percentile
- $111,720
- Median
- $172,250
- 75th percentile
- $222,760
- Top 10%
- $274,110
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 20,430 jobs.
Median pay in 42 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $225,390 | +31% | $113,240 | $308,580 | 340 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $214,030 | +24% | $96,760 | $301,570 | 30 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $210,990 | +22% | $88,300 | $261,820 | 230 |
| 4 | California | $207,490 | +20% | $125,390 | $296,740 | 5,930 |
| 5 | Oregon | $200,320 | +16% | $104,370 | $315,910 | 90 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | $200,050 | +16% | $61,380 | $249,780 | 40 |
| 7 | Texas | $184,040 | +7% | $69,960 | $289,950 | 580 |
| 8 | New York | $181,970 | +6% | $80,000 | $292,950 | 1,140 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $180,910 | +5% | $65,860 | $282,000 | 50 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $180,300 | +5% | $104,750 | $303,910 | 60 |
| 11 | Iowa | $178,110 | +3% | $83,830 | $292,990 | 110 |
| 12 | Maryland | $174,390 | +1% | $105,560 | $219,450 | 1,200 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $174,180 | +1% | $64,050 | $256,860 | 150 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $173,120 | +1% | $89,310 | $291,910 | 180 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $171,220 | −1% | $131,870 | $336,740 | 110 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $166,240 | −3% | $85,360 | $214,090 | 40 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $165,340 | −4% | $120,720 | $235,180 | 580 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $165,010 | −4% | $88,610 | $239,850 | 240 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $163,270 | −5% | $100,490 | $289,830 | 470 |
| 20 | Ohio | $162,900 | −5% | $64,860 | $239,360 | 630 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $157,040 | −9% | $86,820 | $202,360 | 480 |
| 22 | Utah | $156,760 | −9% | $64,090 | $258,690 | 30 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $155,150 | −10% | $86,340 | $298,000 | Not published |
| 24 | Nevada | $154,030 | −11% | $102,580 | $220,070 | 50 |
| 25 | Virginia | $145,040 | −16% | $97,720 | $238,570 | 940 |
| 26 | Georgia | $144,870 | −16% | $79,860 | $288,170 | 160 |
| 27 | Missouri | $140,460 | −18% | $70,550 | $276,590 | 90 |
| 28 | Alabama | $139,330 | −19% | $74,290 | $227,790 | 280 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $138,400 | −20% | $106,510 | $228,440 | 420 |
| 30 | Illinois | $137,140 | −20% | $81,830 | $221,380 | 1,590 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $135,820 | −21% | $110,390 | $214,000 | 60 |
| 32 | Idaho | $135,150 | −22% | $85,110 | $199,990 | Not published |
| 33 | Washington | $134,790 | −22% | $77,860 | $238,430 | 450 |
| 34 | Arizona | $130,500 | −24% | $102,160 | $242,730 | 120 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $129,970 | −25% | $64,980 | $219,440 | 80 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $117,190 | −32% | $77,190 | $383,510 | 40 |
| 37 | Massachusetts | $106,410 | −38% | $82,050 | $213,150 | 1,150 |
| 38 | Indiana | $105,940 | −38% | $64,000 | $220,040 | 230 |
| 39 | Colorado | $104,580 | −39% | $82,340 | $210,950 | 1,050 |
| 40 | Montana | $103,800 | −40% | $53,500 | $237,520 | 30 |
| 41 | Michigan | $94,520 | −45% | $64,380 | $248,500 | 510 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $83,050 | −52% | $53,910 | $180,690 | 30 |
| 43 | Delaware | $82,590 | −52% | $64,570 | $293,950 | 50 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Physicists salary questions
Which state pays physicists the most?
Florida, with a median of $225,390 a year (+31% vs. the national median of $172,250). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays physicists the least?
Delaware, with a median of $82,590 a year (−52% vs. national).
Where do most physicists work?
California has the most jobs, about 5,930, with a median of $207,490.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.