Physicists Salary in Pennsylvania
Physicists in Pennsylvania earn a median annual wage of $210,990 —22.5% above the national median of $172,250. That ranks PA #3 of 43 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.28× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Pennsylvania.
Highest-paying states for physicists
All 43 states ranked by median annual wage. Pennsylvania is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $225,390 | $108.36 | 340 | 0.26 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $214,030 | $102.90 | 30 | 0.38 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $101.44 | 230 | 0.28 |
| 4 | California | $207,490 | $99.75 | 5,930 | 2.48 |
| 5 | Oregon | $200,320 | $96.31 | 90 | 0.33 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | $200,050 | $96.18 | 40 | 0.19 |
| 7 | Texas | $184,040 | $88.48 | 580 | 0.31 |
| 8 | New York | $181,970 | $87.48 | 1,140 | 0.90 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $180,910 | $86.98 | 50 | 0.18 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $180,300 | $86.68 | 60 | 0.28 |
Related occupations in Pennsylvania
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Pennsylvania.
| Occupation | Pennsylvania median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $77,090 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for physicists in Pennsylvania is $210,990, or $101.44 per hour. That is 22.5% above the national median of $172,250.
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Pennsylvania?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $88,300 per year ($42.45/hour). The 25th percentile is $150,950.
How many people work as physicists in Pennsylvania?
About 230 people work in this occupation in Pennsylvania, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for physicists?
Pennsylvania ranks #3 of 43 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.28x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Pennsylvania.
Which state pays physicists the most?
Florida has the highest median wage at $225,390 per year, followed by New Hampshire ($214,030) and Pennsylvania ($210,990).