As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Physicist in the United States is $92,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, an Intermediate Physicist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered Talent
An Intermediate Physicist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Physicist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Intermediate Physicist | $88,193 |
| Intermediate Level Intermediate Physicist | $88,548 |
| Senior Level Intermediate Physicist | $92,734 |
| Specialist Level Intermediate Physicist | $96,287 |
| Expert Level Intermediate Physicist | $96,540 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate Physicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 9.4% |
| Radiology | 5.66% |
| Acceptance Testing | 1.67% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Process Improvement
|
$130,782 |
42%
|
|
Long Term Care
|
$109,599 |
19%
|
|
Accountability
|
$106,836 |
16%
|
|
Quality Management
|
$104,073 |
13%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$104,073 |
13%
|
|
Patient Care
|
$102,231 |
11%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Physicists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Physicist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,636 and $98,137).
Intermediate Physicist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 34.6% |
| High School | 19.2% |
| Associates | 46.2% |
| Bachelors | 34.6% |
| Masters | 19.2% |
| Doctorate | 46.2% |
Understanding how an Intermediate Physicist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Physicist, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Biologist | $83,500 | -9% |
| Mine Geologist III | $85,800 | -7% |
| Senior Geophysicist | $141,300 | 53% |
| Microbiologist, Senior | $83,200 | -10% |
Salaries for an Intermediate Physicist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,873 in 2023 to around $64,551 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Physicist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $64,873 |
| 2024 | $64,758 |
| 2025 | $64,551 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Intermediate Physicist and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate Physicist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The estimated total pay range for an Intermediate Physicist at MIT is approximately $79,700 to $125,300 per year, which includes base salary and additional compensation. The mid-salary for this position is around $94,500.
Yes, NASA hires physicists, including intermediate-level positions. The salary range for an Intermediate Physicist at NASA typically falls between $79,700 and $125,300, with a median salary of around $94,500. This diverse workforce, comprising various scientific disciplines, creates a unique environment for Laboratory Astrophysics research.
Among the highest-paying doctoral degrees, a PhD in Physics stands out. Intermediate Physicists earn a minimum salary of $79,700, a mid-range salary of $94,500, and can reach a maximum salary of $125,300. This competitive pay reflects the demand for expertise in the field, making it a lucrative choice for advanced studies.
The highest-paying physicist job is the Chief Medical Physicist, with a salary range of $175,000 to $210,000 per year. In comparison, an Intermediate Physicist earns between $79,700 and $125,300 annually, with a mid-salary of $94,500. Other roles like Experimental and Computational Physicists have varying salary ranges, but none exceed the Chief Medical Physicist's earnings.
In the US, an Intermediate Physicist with a PhD typically earns between $79,700 and $125,300 annually, with a median salary of $94,500. This translates to a monthly pay range of approximately $6,641 to $10,441, depending on experience and specific roles within the field.
Physics PhDs can earn competitive salaries. For Intermediate Physicists, salaries range from a minimum of $79,700 to a mid-level of $94,500, with top earners making up to $125,300. This indicates that those in the field can achieve a solid income, especially as they gain experience and expertise.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
