What are the main factors that influence a Physicist I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Physicist 's salary?

A Physicist 's salary grows with experience: a Physicist I (0-2 years)earns $74,288, a Physicist II (2-4 years)earns $93,341, a Physicist III (4-7 years)earns $109,529, a Physicist IV (7+ years)earns $142,515, a Physicist V (7-10 years)earns $159,159,

What are the highest paying states for a Physicist I?

Physicist I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Physicist I roles are District of Columbia $81,220, California $80,912, Massachusetts $79,833. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Physicist roles make?

Salaries for Physicist level roles vary by specialization: Health Physicist: $507,955; Physicist VI: $186,383; Physicist V: $157,163; Specialist Physicist: $140,800; Physicist IV: $140,728.

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Physicist I Salary in Delaware

How much does a Physicist I make in Delaware?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist I in Delaware is $74,288 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,088
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,050 to $80,988
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,551

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Physicist I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$80,988	$6,749	$1,557	$39
Average	$74,288	$6,191	$1,429	$36
25th Percentile	$66,050	$5,504	$1,270	$32

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Key Factors That Influence Physicist I Salaries

A Physicist I'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physicist I'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:

Physicist I (0-2 years): $74,288
Physicist II (2-4 years): $93,341
Physicist III (4-7 years): $109,529
Physicist IV (7+ years): $142,515
Physicist V (7-10 years): $159,159

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Physicist I	0-2 years	$74,288
Physicist II	2-4 years	$93,341
Physicist III	4-7 years	$109,529
Physicist IV	7+ years	$142,515
Physicist V	7-10 years	$159,159

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Physicist I 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 Physicist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $81,220.
California: $80,912.
Massachusetts: $79,833.

District of Columbia $81,220 California $80,912 Massachusetts $79,833 Washington $79,540 New Jersey $79,511 Alaska $79,408 Connecticut $78,396 New York $77,985

Hawaii $76,672 Rhode Island $76,056 Maryland $75,637 Minnesota $75,065 Colorado $74,845 Illinois $74,772 Oregon $74,493 Delaware $74,288

New Hampshire $74,159 Virginia $73,869 Pennsylvania $73,026 Nevada $72,600 North Dakota $72,461 Michigan $72,241 Wisconsin $72,160 Vermont $71,999

Texas $71,551 Maine $71,522 Arizona $71,478 Ohio $71,427 Georgia $70,752 Indiana $70,414 Wyoming $70,348 Utah $70,246

Iowa $70,202 Kansas $69,850 Louisiana $69,747 North Carolina $69,710 Missouri $69,696 Florida $69,409 Montana $69,255 Nebraska $69,109

Kentucky $69,028 South Carolina $68,735 Tennessee $68,551 Idaho $68,478 New Mexico $67,942 Oklahoma $67,825 Alabama $67,392 South Dakota $66,666

Arkansas $66,270 West Virginia $66,057 Mississippi $65,419

Top Paying Cities for Physicist Is

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:

Lincoln: $73,953
Little Creek: $74,494
Magnolia: $74,387

Lincoln, DE $73,953 Little Creek, DE $74,494 Magnolia, DE $74,387 Milford, DE $74,141 Marydel, DE $74,263 Millsboro, DE $73,643 Millville, DE $73,757 Milton, DE $73,884

Nassau, DE $73,938 Ocean View, DE $73,744 Rehoboth Beach, DE $73,886 Seaford, DE $73,927 Selbyville, DE $73,622 Smyrna, DE $74,546 Viola, DE $74,203 Woodside, DE $74,402

Bear, DE $74,230 Newark, DE $74,203 Claymont, DE $74,354 Delaware City, DE $74,277 Hockessin, DE $74,196 Kirkwood, DE $74,263 Middletown, DE $74,291 Montchanin, DE $74,213

New Castle, DE $74,224 Odessa, DE $74,328 Port Penn, DE $74,378 Rockland, DE $74,220 Saint Georges, DE $74,268 Townsend, DE $74,382 Winterthur, DE $74,229 Lewes, DE $73,913

Wilmington, DE $74,200 Dover, DE $74,494 Dover Afb, DE $74,102 Bethany Beach, DE $73,666 Bethel, DE $73,743 Bridgeville, DE $73,916 Camden Wyoming, DE $74,285 Cheswold, DE $74,470

Clayton, DE $74,472 Dagsboro, DE $73,615 Delmar, DE $73,497 Ellendale, DE $73,720 Felton, DE $74,135 Fenwick Island, DE $73,631 Frankford, DE $73,503 Frederica, DE $74,208

Georgetown, DE $73,587 Greenwood, DE $73,928 Harbeson, DE $73,666 Harrington, DE $74,041 Hartly, DE $74,271 Houston, DE $73,936 Kenton, DE $74,476 Laurel, DE $73,543

Yorklyn, DE $74,218

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

Understanding how a Physicist I'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 May 01, 2026

$66,050

Average $74,288/year

$80,988

$5,504

Average $6,191/month

$6,749

$1,270

Average $1,429/week

$1,557

$32

Average $36/hour

$39

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$80,988	$6,749	$1,557	$39
Average	$74,288	$6,191	$1,429	$36
25th Percentile	$66,050	$5,504	$1,270	$32

Physicist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Physicist I

Agronomist

Biologist II

Geologist II

Geophysicist II

Biologist III

Geologist III

Geophysicist III

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physicist I, 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.

Physicist I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Agronomist	$68,190	-8%
Biologist II	$67,681	-9%
Geologist II	$69,772	-6%
Geophysicist II	$105,721	42%

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