Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Physicists (SOC 19-2012) employed 20,430 people in May 2025. The median pay is $172,250 a year ($82.81 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,110 and the highest-paid 10% more than $274,110. BLS projects its employment to change by +7.2% between 2025 and 2035 (about 1,300 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest median pay: Florida ($225,390), New Hampshire ($214,030), Pennsylvania ($210,990). Most jobs: California (5,930), Illinois (1,590), Maryland (1,200).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| 25th percentile | $111,720 | $53.71 |
| Median | $172,250 | $82.81 |
| Mean | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| 75th percentile | $222,760 | $107.10 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $274,110 | $131.78 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 23,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 24,800 |
| Change in jobs | 1,700 |
| Percent change | +7.2% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 1,300 |
| Self-employed share | 7.0% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 280 | 1.00 | $139,330 | $74,290 | $227,790 | -19% | 9% |
| Arizona | 120 | 0.29 | $130,500 | $102,160 | $242,730 | -24% | 15% |
| Arkansas | 60 | 0.36 | $135,820 | $110,390 | $214,000 | -21% | 9% |
| California | 5,930 | 2.48 | $207,490 | $125,390 | $296,740 | +20% | 12% |
| Colorado | 1,050 | 2.77 | $104,580 | $82,340 | $210,950 | -39% | 21% |
| Connecticut | 60 | 0.28 | $180,300 | $104,750 | $303,910 | +5% | 10% |
| Delaware | 50 | 0.72 | $82,590 | $64,570 | $293,950 | -52% | 22% |
| District of Columbia | 480 | 5.24 | $157,040 | $86,820 | $202,360 | -9% | 15% |
| Florida | 340 | 0.26 | $225,390 | $113,240 | $308,580 | +31% | 10% |
| Georgia | 160 | 0.25 | $144,870 | $79,860 | $288,170 | -16% | 12% |
| Hawaii | 40 | 0.46 | $117,190 | $77,190 | $383,510 | -32% | 20% |
| Illinois | 1,590 | 1.99 | $137,140 | $81,830 | $221,380 | -20% | 12% |
| Indiana | 230 | 0.54 | $105,940 | $64,000 | $220,040 | -38% | 13% |
| Iowa | 110 | 0.55 | $178,110 | $83,830 | $292,990 | +3% | 7% |
| Kentucky | 50 | 0.18 | $180,910 | $65,860 | $282,000 | +5% | 7% |
| Louisiana | 40 | 0.15 | $166,240 | $85,360 | $214,090 | -3% | 8% |
| Maine | 60 | 0.70 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | 1,200 | 3.30 | $174,390 | $105,560 | $219,450 | +1% | 12% |
| Massachusetts | 1,150 | 2.41 | $106,410 | $82,050 | $213,150 | -38% | 21% |
| Michigan | 510 | 0.89 | $94,520 | $64,380 | $248,500 | -45% | 15% |
| Minnesota | 110 | 0.29 | $171,220 | $131,870 | $336,740 | -1% | 9% |
| Mississippi | 80 | 0.55 | $129,970 | $64,980 | $219,440 | -25% | 9% |
| Missouri | 90 | 0.22 | $140,460 | $70,550 | $276,590 | -18% | 9% |
| Montana | 30 | 0.51 | $103,800 | $53,500 | $237,520 | -40% | 14% |
| Nevada | 50 | 0.27 | $154,030 | $102,580 | $220,070 | -11% | 13% |
| New Hampshire | 30 | 0.38 | $214,030 | $96,760 | $301,570 | +24% | 9% |
| New Jersey | 470 | 0.83 | $163,270 | $100,490 | $289,830 | -5% | 13% |
| New Mexico | 580 | 5.07 | $165,340 | $120,720 | $235,180 | -4% | 8% |
| New York | 1,140 | 0.90 | $181,970 | $80,000 | $292,950 | +6% | 11% |
| North Carolina | 150 | 0.23 | $174,180 | $64,050 | $256,860 | +1% | 9% |
| Ohio | 630 | 0.87 | $162,900 | $64,860 | $239,360 | -5% | 8% |
| Oklahoma | 40 | 0.19 | $200,050 | $61,380 | $249,780 | +16% | 6% |
| Oregon | 90 | 0.33 | $200,320 | $104,370 | $315,910 | +16% | 10% |
| Pennsylvania | 230 | 0.28 | $210,990 | $88,300 | $261,820 | +22% | 7% |
| South Carolina | 420 | 1.38 | $138,400 | $106,510 | $228,440 | -20% | 11% |
| South Dakota | 30 | 0.58 | $83,050 | $53,910 | $180,690 | -52% | 14% |
| Tennessee | 240 | 0.55 | $165,010 | $88,610 | $239,850 | -4% | 9% |
| Texas | 580 | 0.31 | $184,040 | $69,960 | $289,950 | +7% | 10% |
| Utah | 30 | 0.14 | $156,760 | $64,090 | $258,690 | -9% | 12% |
| Virginia | 940 | 1.74 | $145,040 | $97,720 | $238,570 | -16% | 14% |
| Washington | 450 | 0.96 | $134,790 | $77,860 | $238,430 | -22% | 16% |
| Wisconsin | 180 | 0.47 | $173,120 | $89,310 | $291,910 | +1% | 8% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,070 | $181,970 | $87,300 | $308,990 | 0.86 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 440 | $173,450 | $122,840 | $302,040 | 2.98 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 1,520 | $171,580 | $98,950 | $225,680 | 3.69 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 330 | $165,340 | $120,720 | $225,300 | 6.17 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 550 | $160,270 | $88,000 | $275,560 | 0.67 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,510 | $137,140 | $81,830 | $221,380 | 2.54 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,060 | $106,000 | $82,050 | $213,150 | 2.98 |
| Boulder, CO | 860 | $104,580 | $82,340 | $195,190 | 33.89 |
The median is $172,250 a year ($82.81 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $82,110 and the highest-paid tenth over $274,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
20,430 in May 2025, and BLS projects +7.2% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Florida, with a median of $225,390 (among states with published figures).