National Salary Overview
VS
Physicists earns $15,211 more (11.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$138,550
$153,762
Average (Mean) Salary
$151,022
$164,071
Total Employment
220,670
20,040
States with Higher Pay
16
27
Salary by State: Human Resources Managers vs Physicists
Showing 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. Human Resources Managers pays more in 16 states; Physicists pays more in 27.
| State | Human Resources Managers | Physicists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $113,210 | $139,330 | $-26,120 | ||
| Arizona | $139,820 | $130,500 | +$9,320 | ||
| Arkansas | $108,580 | $135,820 | $-27,240 | ||
| California | $170,080 | $207,490 | $-37,410 | ||
| Colorado | $166,400 | $104,580 | +$61,820 | ||
| Connecticut | $165,930 | $180,300 | $-14,370 | ||
| Delaware | $153,890 | $82,590 | +$71,300 | ||
| District of Columbia | $184,350 | $157,040 | +$27,310 | ||
| Florida | $137,790 | $225,390 | $-87,600 | ||
| Georgia | $150,700 | $144,870 | +$5,830 | ||
| Hawaii | $128,910 | $117,190 | +$11,720 | ||
| Idaho | $119,990 | $135,150 | $-15,160 | ||
| Illinois | $151,370 | $137,140 | +$14,230 | ||
| Indiana | $130,340 | $105,940 | +$24,400 | ||
| Iowa | $126,370 | $178,110 | $-51,740 | ||
| Kentucky | $121,460 | $180,910 | $-59,450 | ||
| Louisiana | $107,880 | $166,240 | $-58,360 | ||
| Maryland | $152,770 | $174,390 | $-21,620 | ||
| Massachusetts | $181,780 | $106,410 | +$75,370 | ||
| Michigan | $138,930 | $94,520 | +$44,410 | ||
| Minnesota | $153,770 | $171,220 | $-17,450 | ||
| Mississippi | $106,100 | $129,970 | $-23,870 | ||
| Missouri | $130,680 | $140,460 | $-9,780 | ||
| Montana | $115,280 | $103,800 | +$11,480 | ||
| Nevada | $128,550 | $154,030 | $-25,480 | ||
| New Hampshire | $135,000 | $214,030 | $-79,030 | ||
| New Jersey | $172,440 | $163,270 | +$9,170 | ||
| New Mexico | $118,070 | $165,340 | $-47,270 | ||
| New York | $176,650 | $181,970 | $-5,320 | ||
| North Carolina | $142,990 | $174,180 | $-31,190 | ||
| Ohio | $130,480 | $162,900 | $-32,420 | ||
| Oklahoma | $116,080 | $200,050 | $-83,970 | ||
| Oregon | $140,570 | $200,320 | $-59,750 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $133,060 | $210,990 | $-77,930 | ||
| Rhode Island | $167,110 | $155,150 | +$11,960 | ||
| South Carolina | $124,290 | $138,400 | $-14,110 | ||
| South Dakota | $117,930 | $83,050 | +$34,880 | ||
| Tennessee | $131,760 | $165,010 | $-33,250 | ||
| Texas | $136,500 | $184,040 | $-47,540 | ||
| Utah | $131,380 | $156,760 | $-25,380 | ||
| Virginia | $165,980 | $145,040 | +$20,940 | ||
| Washington | $165,530 | $134,790 | +$30,740 | ||
| Wisconsin | $133,490 | $173,120 | $-39,630 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Human Resources Managers vs Physicists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Human Resources Managers or Physicists?
On average across all states, a Physicists earns more than a Human Resources Managers. The national median salary difference is $15,211 (11.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Human Resources Managers earn more than a Physicists?
A Human Resources Managers earns a higher median salary than a Physicists in 16 out of 43 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicists pays more in 27 states.
What is the median salary for a Human Resources Managers vs Physicists?
The national median salary for a Human Resources Managers is $138,550 per year, compared to $153,762 for a Physicists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Human Resources Managers or Physicists?
There are more people employed as Human Resources Managers. BLS reports approximately 220,670 Human Resources Managers positions and 20,040 Physicists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Human Resources Managers or Physicists?
Both Human Resources 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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