National Salary Overview
VS
Physicists earns $3,021 more (2.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$150,741
$153,762
Average (Mean) Salary
$168,791
$164,071
Total Employment
841,710
20,040
States with Higher Pay
19
24
Salary by State: Financial Managers vs Physicists
Showing 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. Financial Managers pays more in 19 states; Physicists pays more in 24.
| State | Financial Managers | Physicists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $140,500 | $139,330 | +$1,170 | ||
| Arizona | $139,830 | $130,500 | +$9,330 | ||
| Arkansas | $116,570 | $135,820 | $-19,250 | ||
| California | $180,770 | $207,490 | $-26,720 | ||
| Colorado | $182,690 | $104,580 | +$78,110 | ||
| Connecticut | $174,830 | $180,300 | $-5,470 | ||
| Delaware | $181,580 | $82,590 | +$98,990 | ||
| District of Columbia | $188,880 | $157,040 | +$31,840 | ||
| Florida | $153,280 | $225,390 | $-72,110 | ||
| Georgia | $166,790 | $144,870 | +$21,920 | ||
| Hawaii | $134,210 | $117,190 | +$17,020 | ||
| Idaho | $127,210 | $135,150 | $-7,940 | ||
| Illinois | $165,880 | $137,140 | +$28,740 | ||
| Indiana | $135,840 | $105,940 | +$29,900 | ||
| Iowa | $133,320 | $178,110 | $-44,790 | ||
| Kentucky | $130,650 | $180,910 | $-50,260 | ||
| Louisiana | $126,800 | $166,240 | $-39,440 | ||
| Maryland | $158,750 | $174,390 | $-15,640 | ||
| Massachusetts | $206,760 | $106,410 | +$100,350 | ||
| Michigan | $139,370 | $94,520 | +$44,850 | ||
| Minnesota | $163,410 | $171,220 | $-7,810 | ||
| Mississippi | $111,390 | $129,970 | $-18,580 | ||
| Missouri | $143,460 | $140,460 | +$3,000 | ||
| Montana | $131,060 | $103,800 | +$27,260 | ||
| Nevada | $132,490 | $154,030 | $-21,540 | ||
| New Hampshire | $144,730 | $214,030 | $-69,300 | ||
| New Jersey | $199,110 | $163,270 | +$35,840 | ||
| New Mexico | $133,700 | $165,340 | $-31,640 | ||
| New York | $219,880 | $181,970 | +$37,910 | ||
| North Carolina | $166,780 | $174,180 | $-7,400 | ||
| Ohio | $140,870 | $162,900 | $-22,030 | ||
| Oklahoma | $132,460 | $200,050 | $-67,590 | ||
| Oregon | $156,460 | $200,320 | $-43,860 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $145,610 | $210,990 | $-65,380 | ||
| Rhode Island | $166,940 | $155,150 | +$11,790 | ||
| South Carolina | $136,160 | $138,400 | $-2,240 | ||
| South Dakota | $159,700 | $83,050 | +$76,650 | ||
| Tennessee | $141,010 | $165,010 | $-24,000 | ||
| Texas | $164,860 | $184,040 | $-19,180 | ||
| Utah | $150,450 | $156,760 | $-6,310 | ||
| Virginia | $185,220 | $145,040 | +$40,180 | ||
| Washington | $174,840 | $134,790 | +$40,050 | ||
| Wisconsin | $139,720 | $173,120 | $-33,400 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Financial Managers vs Physicists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Financial Managers or Physicists?
On average across all states, a Physicists earns more than a Financial Managers. The national median salary difference is $3,021 (2.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Financial Managers earn more than a Physicists?
A Financial Managers earns a higher median salary than a Physicists in 19 out of 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicists pays more in 24 states.
What is the median salary for a Financial Managers vs Physicists?
The national median salary for a Financial Managers is $150,741 per year, compared to $153,762 for a Physicists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Financial Managers or Physicists?
There are more people employed as Financial Managers. BLS reports approximately 841,710 Financial Managers positions and 20,040 Physicists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Financial Managers or Physicists?
Both Financial Managers and Physicists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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