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Specialist Physicist Salary in the United States

How much does a Specialist Physicist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Physicist in the United States is $140,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

However, a Specialist Physicist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $165,927
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,700 to $154,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,861

Key Factors That Influence Specialist Physicist Salaries

A Specialist 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.

How Experience Level Affects Specialist Physicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist 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:

  • Intermediate Physicist (2-4 years): $92,279
  • Senior Physicist (4-7 years): $108,247
  • Specialist Physicist (7+ years): $140,872
  • Expert/ Lead Physicist (7-10 years): $157,241
  • Physicist VI (10-12 years): $186,412
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Physicist2-4 years$92,279
Senior Physicist4-7 years$108,247
Specialist Physicist7+ years$140,872
Expert/ Lead Physicist7-10 years$157,241
Physicist VI10-12 years$186,412

How Do Specialist Physicist Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Specialist Physicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $156,000.
  • California: $155,400.
  • Massachusetts: $153,400.

Top Paying Cities for Specialist Physicists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $177,700
  • San Francisco: $175,800
  • Oakland: $172,100

What Skills Can Increase a Specialist Physicist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.69% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Radiology (Mentioned in 5.79% Job Postings): Recording, analyzing, and measuring brain activities through electroencephalogram tests to detect, diagnose, and treat brain disorders.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.69%
Radiology 5.79%
Patient Care 1.75%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Specialist Physicist's salary.

  • Clinical Research: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Research $194,442
38%
Presentation $166,262
18%
Project Management $162,035
15%

Specialist Physicist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Specialist Physicist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $157,932. While startup companies pay approximate $133,791.

Specialist Physicist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,791
Growth Stage 51~500 $141,434
Established 501~5000 $152,556
Enterprise 5000+ $157,932

Specialist Physicist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Specialist Physicist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Specialist Physicist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist Physicist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Specialist Physicist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$183,170$88.030%
Aerospace & Defense$169,080$81.020%
Software & Networking$169,080$81.020%
Energy & Utilities$162,035$78.015%
Biotechnology$154,990$75.010%

How Education impacts a Specialist Physicist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist Physicists enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Specialist Physicist with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $130,233 and $142,755).

Specialist Physicist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Specialist Physicist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 93.9%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 6.1%
Doctorate 93.9%

Specialist Physicist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Specialist 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 September 01, 2026
$125,700
Average $140,900/year
$154,000
$10,475
Average $11,742/month
$12,833
$2,417
Average $2,710/week
$2,962
$60
Average $68/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $154,000 $12,833 $2,962 $74
Average $140,900 $11,742 $2,710 $68
25th Percentile $125,700 $10,475 $2,417 $60

Specialist Physicist Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Specialist 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.

Specialist Physicist Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Expert Biologist $137,100 -3%
Expert Geologist $131,100 -7%
Chief Geophysicist $192,200 36%
Microbiologist, Lead/Master $133,900 -5%

Most common benefits for Specialist Physicist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Specialist Physicist

Here are companies hiring for Specialist Physicist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Specialist Physicist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Specialist Physicist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialist Physicist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paying job?

The highest paying job is that of a Specialist Physicist, with a salary range from $118,100 to $165,100. The median salary for this role is approximately $138,200, making it a lucrative career choice in the field of physics.

3. What is the highest paying job in the world?

While CEO positions are often cited as the highest paying jobs, a Specialist Physicist also commands a significant salary. With a minimum salary of $118,100, a mid-range salary of $138,200, and a maximum salary of $165,100, this role involves advanced research and application of physics principles, making it both lucrative and intellectually rewarding.

4. Does NASA hire physicists?

Yes, NASA does hire physicists. In addition to NASA, other federal agencies that employ physicists and astronomers include the U.S. Department of Defense. Salaries for specialist physicists typically range from $118,100 to $165,100, with a mid-salary of around $138,200, reflecting the expertise and experience required in these roles.

5. What is the best country to be a physicist?

The United States is a leading country for physicists, boasting many top universities for physics and astronomy. In this field, salaries range from $118,100 to $165,100, with a median of $138,200. Other countries like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Japan also offer excellent physics programs, making them strong contenders for physicists seeking opportunities.

6. Which physicist has highest salary?

The salary data for Specialist Physicists indicates a range with a minimum of $118,100, a mid-point of $138,200, and a maximum of $165,100. While some physicist roles, like Chief Medical Physicist, can exceed this range, Specialist Physicists typically earn between these figures, reflecting their expertise and experience in the field.

7. How much do physicists make at NASA?

Physicists at NASA can expect salaries that align with the following ranges: the minimum salary is approximately $118,100, the mid-range salary is around $138,200, and the maximum salary can reach up to $165,100. This reflects the competitive compensation for specialists in the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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