Highest Paying State $222,550 Minnesota
National Avg Median $149,438 Across 39 states
Lowest Paying State $78,390 South Dakota

Physicists Salary in All 50 States

Compare Physicists pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.

State Median Salary Mean Salary Entry Level Top Earners Employed
Minnesota $222,550 $217,700 $95,970 N/A 60
Florida $209,020 $199,040 $109,050 N/A 240
Pennsylvania $208,470 $188,220 $76,860 N/A 540
Arizona $190,960 $188,610 $107,240 N/A 70
Oregon $183,860 $188,090 $79,580 N/A 120
California $180,900 $187,720 $103,800 N/A 6,220
Missouri $180,450 $163,820 $83,760 N/A 90
New Hampshire $179,440 $182,360 $67,670 N/A 30
New Mexico $175,960 $185,650 $134,310 N/A 770
New York $174,160 $174,180 $77,510 N/A 1,190
Wisconsin $174,010 $173,010 $84,480 N/A 220
Tennessee $173,660 $163,690 $64,930 $226,750 260
Connecticut $171,630 $193,520 $107,730 N/A 70
North Carolina $170,690 $152,640 $66,730 N/A 170
Texas $170,450 $171,790 $71,650 N/A 700
Kentucky $168,660 $178,660 $95,760 N/A 30
New Jersey $168,610 $177,610 $98,030 N/A 320
Virginia $164,180 $163,990 $99,920 N/A 1,260
Maryland $163,950 $159,890 $101,040 $211,240 1,420
Massachusetts $153,890 $153,660 $92,350 $222,390 570
Colorado $144,670 $151,700 $109,250 $191,880 1,120
Ohio $135,550 $143,270 $49,180 $225,930 710
Utah $133,900 $147,660 $56,020 N/A 60
Idaho $132,060 $139,880 $81,010 $203,310 170
Arkansas $131,880 $139,970 $104,200 $213,030 80
Georgia $131,500 $159,690 $77,740 N/A 190
Illinois $131,260 $130,060 $78,410 $207,880 1,660
South Carolina $131,100 $153,260 $101,940 $222,210 370
Iowa $120,810 $157,580 $62,500 N/A 120
Mississippi $120,640 $132,230 $59,950 $235,470 70
Washington $120,080 $136,300 $67,240 $224,320 430
Nevada $116,080 $127,260 $84,880 $155,980 N/A
Alabama $114,690 $130,730 $69,320 $222,590 360
Maine $114,610 $130,330 $55,300 $225,430 N/A
Indiana $110,410 $125,630 $51,870 $224,410 160
Michigan $107,640 $133,920 $67,710 $237,760 550
Oklahoma $84,570 $129,610 $53,640 $226,840 40
Delaware $82,780 $145,140 $66,190 N/A 40
South Dakota $78,390 $104,100 $51,000 $172,940 30

Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.

Physicists Salary FAQs

Which state pays Physicistss the most?

Minnesota pays the highest median salary for Physicistss at $222,550 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Minnesota ($222,550), Florida ($209,020), Pennsylvania ($208,470), Arizona ($190,960), Oregon ($183,860).

What is the average Physicists salary nationally?

The average median Physicists salary across all 39 states is $149,438 per year. The salary ranges from $78,390 in South Dakota to $222,550 in Minnesota — a difference of $144,160.

Which state pays Physicistss the least?

South Dakota has the lowest median Physicists salary at $78,390 per year. However, cost of living in South Dakota may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.