Physicists pay range in Pittsburgh
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $138,010 a year or less, while the top 10% make $266,300 or more. The middle half of physicists in Pittsburgh earn between $195,190 and $241,360.
- $138K10th
- $195K25th
- $224KMedian
- $241K75th
- $266K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $211,220 | $17,602 | $101.55 |
| Median | $224,160 | $18,680 | $107.77 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $195,190 | $16,266 | $93.84 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $241,360 | $20,113 | $116.04 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicists pay in Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Physicists in Pittsburgh earn 11% more than the Pennsylvania average ($191,120) and 23% more than the U.S. average ($171,180). At the median the gap is +30% against the U.S. median of $172,250.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $211,220 | $224,160 | $138,010 | $266,300 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $191,120 | $210,990 | $88,300 | $261,820 | 230 |
| United States | $171,180 | $172,250 | $82,110 | $274,110 | 20,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physicists salary after taxes in Pittsburgh
On the average salary of $211,220, a single filer in Pittsburgh takes home about $150,706 a year, or $12,559 a month and $5,796 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Pittsburgh a good place for physicists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Pittsburgh area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 94.7), so the average $211,220 buys what about $223,110 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 4.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Pittsburgh ($49,650). A typical home costs $231,356, or 1.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicists salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Pittsburgh ranks 1st of 2 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Pittsburgh$211,220
- Philadelphia$162,610
Highest-paying cities for physicists
Miami, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($245,010).
- Miami, FL$245,010
- Tampa, FL$244,380
- Pittsburgh, PA$211,220
- Portland, OR$210,060
- Cleveland, OH$209,480
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Physicists salary in Pittsburgh: questions
How much do physicists make an hour in Pittsburgh?
$101.55 an hour on average, and $107.77 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Pittsburgh?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $138,010 a year and the 25th percentile is $195,190, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicists take-home pay in Pittsburgh?
About $150,706 a year ($12,559 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $211,220. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do physicists earn more in Pittsburgh than elsewhere?
The average here is 23% more than the U.S. average for this job ($171,180).
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 19-2012; area Pittsburgh, PA (38300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.6%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.54, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.54).
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