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Top 15 cities for physical scientists, all other by average salary
| San Jose, CA | $177,370 |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | $172,740 |
| Washington, DC | $166,920 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $158,750 |
| Huntsville, AL | $154,990 |
| Dallas, TX | $152,040 |
| Denver, CO | $151,380 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $150,900 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $150,640 |
| Seattle, WA | $149,890 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $149,610 |
| Providence, RI | $148,560 |
| Boulder, CO | $147,980 |
| Augusta, GA | $147,500 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $144,720 |
Map: Physical Scientists, All Other salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary by state
Washington, D.C. pays other physical scientists the most statewide, $152,480 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $152,480 | $156,730 | 790 | 1 | $166,920 | $166,920 |
| Minnesota | $151,450 | $147,890 | 540 | 2 | $172,740 | $80,540 |
| Florida | $151,150 | $131,690 | 340 | 4 | $158,750 | $101,150 |
| Rhode Island | n/a | n/a | 70 | 1 | $148,560 | $148,560 |
| Colorado | $147,190 | $134,440 | 710 | 4 | $151,380 | $123,550 |
| Virginia | n/a | n/a | 1,450 | 2 | $144,720 | $125,740 |
| California | $143,310 | $130,610 | 2,320 | 8 | $177,370 | $104,690 |
| Alabama | $142,930 | $135,350 | 140 | 1 | $154,990 | $154,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $142,660 | $134,780 | 460 | 2 | $150,640 | $134,390 |
| Maryland | $141,310 | $141,290 | 1,810 | 1 | $121,150 | $121,150 |
| Washington | $141,060 | $133,980 | 450 | 2 | $149,890 | $130,150 |
| South Carolina | $138,140 | $141,130 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $136,900 | $138,380 | 350 | 1 | $137,800 | $137,800 |
| Tennessee | $136,030 | $129,570 | 120 | 1 | $138,010 | $138,010 |
| Georgia | $132,380 | $137,680 | 1,020 | 3 | $147,500 | $104,720 |
| New Hampshire | $129,820 | $112,370 | 210 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $129,640 | $123,820 | 240 | 1 | $126,750 | $126,750 |
| Connecticut | $129,560 | $99,990 | 370 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota | $128,190 | $147,650 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $126,240 | $125,270 | 170 | 2 | $127,930 | $125,690 |
| New York | $121,990 | $117,820 | 1,510 | 3 | $135,570 | $101,550 |
| Alaska | $121,540 | $120,240 | 140 | 1 | $130,800 | $130,800 |
| Michigan | $120,940 | $118,870 | 130 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $117,520 | $109,990 | 590 | 2 | $119,890 | $116,320 |
| Oklahoma | $117,230 | $112,260 | 80 | 1 | $120,160 | $120,160 |
| Utah | $115,940 | $115,920 | 250 | 2 | $115,850 | $115,830 |
| Ohio | $115,360 | $108,790 | 430 | 4 | $140,240 | $82,630 |
| North Carolina | $114,340 | $110,030 | 650 | 2 | $129,060 | $108,670 |
| Texas | $113,910 | $100,920 | 2,310 | 8 | $152,040 | $68,670 |
| Illinois | $113,840 | $108,970 | 580 | 1 | $121,590 | $121,590 |
| Hawaii | $113,530 | $112,880 | 100 | 1 | $116,690 | $116,690 |
| Wisconsin | $110,780 | $97,470 | 70 | 1 | $102,540 | $102,540 |
| Oregon | $110,560 | $109,580 | 290 | 1 | $114,130 | $114,130 |
| Mississippi | $108,820 | $108,890 | 380 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $106,830 | $101,440 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $106,030 | $94,320 | 280 | 2 | $119,230 | $89,370 |
| Iowa | $101,240 | $80,810 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $90,150 | $94,520 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Puerto Rico | $88,750 | $97,150 | 70 | 1 | $91,160 | $91,160 |
| Kentucky | $80,840 | $81,260 | 260 | 1 | $75,610 | $75,610 |
| Wyoming | $77,340 | $69,240 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $75,600 | $68,670 | 1,240 | 1 | $73,510 | $73,510 |
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Physical Scientists, All Other salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $177,370 | $160,580 | $85.28 | 340 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $172,740 | $176,440 | $83.05 | 410 |
| Washington, DC | $166,920 | $170,980 | $80.25 | 2,740 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $158,750 | $157,710 | $76.32 | 80 |
| Huntsville, AL | $154,990 | $142,650 | $74.51 | 70 |
| Dallas, TX | $152,040 | $133,590 | $73.10 | 700 |
| Denver, CO | $151,380 | $140,980 | $72.78 | 420 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $150,900 | $129,630 | $72.55 | 30 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $150,640 | $137,220 | $72.42 | 310 |
| Seattle, WA | $149,890 | $134,720 | $72.06 | 310 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $149,610 | $137,340 | $71.93 | 60 |
| Providence, RI | $148,560 | $180,470 | $71.42 | 70 |
| Boulder, CO | $147,980 | $141,320 | $71.14 | n/a |
| Augusta, GA | $147,500 | $149,550 | $70.91 | 40 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $144,720 | $144,580 | $69.58 | 100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $143,420 | $136,160 | $68.95 | 820 |
| Miami, FL | $140,760 | $130,940 | $67.67 | 50 |
| Dayton, OH | $140,240 | $142,080 | $67.43 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $138,010 | $136,990 | $66.35 | 60 |
| Boston, MA | $137,800 | $137,050 | $66.25 | 350 |
| San Diego, CA | $135,730 | $132,410 | $65.26 | 180 |
| San Francisco, CA | $135,640 | $128,720 | $65.21 | n/a |
| New York, NY | $135,570 | $139,560 | $65.18 | 860 |
| Atlanta, GA | $134,890 | $137,680 | $64.85 | 930 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $134,390 | $128,750 | $64.61 | 140 |
| Anchorage, AK | $130,800 | $131,060 | $62.89 | 90 |
| Kennewick, WA | $130,150 | $132,830 | $62.57 | 50 |
| Oxnard, CA | $129,710 | $131,640 | $62.36 | 50 |
| Durham, NC | $129,060 | $128,380 | $62.05 | 370 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $127,930 | $123,750 | $61.50 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $126,750 | $121,890 | $60.94 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $125,740 | $117,640 | $60.45 | 310 |
| Tucson, AZ | $125,690 | $115,000 | $60.43 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $123,710 | $120,740 | $59.48 | 80 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $123,550 | $118,560 | $59.40 | 50 |
| Chicago, IL | $121,590 | $121,720 | $58.46 | 430 |
| Cleveland, OH | $121,220 | $106,620 | $58.28 | 40 |
| Baltimore, MD | $121,150 | $108,160 | $58.25 | 570 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $120,160 | $111,380 | $57.77 | 50 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $119,890 | $113,800 | $57.64 | 40 |
| New Orleans, LA | $119,230 | $125,070 | $57.32 | 70 |
| Crestview, FL | $119,100 | $115,110 | $57.26 | 30 |
| San Antonio, TX | $118,540 | $120,490 | $56.99 | 170 |
| Honolulu, HI | $116,690 | $117,000 | $56.10 | 80 |
| Trenton, NJ | $116,320 | $117,840 | $55.93 | 100 |
| Ogden, UT | $115,850 | $112,400 | $55.70 | 50 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $115,830 | $123,240 | $55.69 | 150 |
| Portland, OR | $114,130 | $117,770 | $54.87 | 170 |
| Riverside, CA | $112,750 | $106,750 | $54.21 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $108,670 | $100,690 | $52.25 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $105,330 | $95,850 | $50.64 | 40 |
| Athens, GA | $104,720 | $96,820 | $50.35 | 40 |
| Sacramento, CA | $104,690 | $101,070 | $50.33 | 70 |
| Austin, TX | $103,390 | $93,440 | $49.71 | 260 |
| Madison, WI | $102,540 | $95,580 | $49.30 | 40 |
| Albany, NY | $101,550 | $99,460 | $48.82 | 780 |
| Tampa, FL | $101,150 | $106,330 | $48.63 | 30 |
| Houston, TX | $98,090 | $91,430 | $47.16 | 550 |
| Waco, TX | $97,410 | $97,400 | $46.83 | 50 |
| San Juan, PR | $91,160 | $97,150 | $43.83 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $89,370 | $78,300 | $42.97 | 80 |
| El Paso, TX | $88,040 | $80,880 | $42.33 | 40 |
| Lubbock, TX | $83,600 | $76,350 | $40.19 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $82,630 | $78,440 | $39.73 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN | $80,540 | $81,920 | $38.72 | 100 |
| Lexington, KY | $75,610 | $67,610 | $36.35 | 210 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $73,510 | $67,000 | $35.34 | 560 |
| McAllen, TX | $68,670 | $71,580 | $33.02 | 50 |
Related jobs
- PhysicistsU.S. average $171,180
- Atmospheric and Space ScientistsU.S. average $106,110
- ChemistsU.S. average $100,450
- Materials ScientistsU.S. average $126,180
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthU.S. average $91,680
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersU.S. average $116,150
- HydrologistsU.S. average $103,600
- AstronomersU.S. average $132,920
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Physical Scientists, All Other salary: questions
Where do other physical scientists make the most money?
In San Jose, CA, with an average of $177,370 a year, among the 68 metro areas we cover.
What is the average other physical scientists salary in the U.S.?
$129,230 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $122,570, so half of other physical scientists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should other physical scientists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of other physical scientists nationwide earn between $86,620 (25th percentile) and $161,890 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays other physical scientists the most?
Washington, D.C., with a statewide average of $152,480 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is other physical scientists pay the lowest?
McAllen, TX, at $68,670 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2099.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.