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Physicist I Salary in Salt Lake City, UT

How much does a Physicist I make in Salt Lake City, UT?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist I in Salt Lake City, UT is $71,735 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,104
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,757 to $78,210
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,493
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View as table View as graph 25% $63,757 10% $56,493 90% $84,104 75% $78,210 $71,735 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Physicist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,210 $6,517 $1,504 $38
Average $71,735 $5,978 $1,380 $34
25th Percentile $63,757 $5,313 $1,226 $31
Check out Physicist I Job Openings in Salt Lake City, UT
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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, skills 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): $71,735
  • Physicist II (2-4 years): $90,092
  • Physicist III (4-7 years): $105,752
  • Physicist IV (7+ years): $137,577
  • Physicist V (7-10 years): $153,724
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Physicist I0-2 years$71,735
Physicist II2-4 years$90,092
Physicist III4-7 years$105,752
Physicist IV7+ years$137,577
Physicist V7-10 years$153,724
$71,735 Physicist...
$90,092 Physicist...
$105,752 Physicist...
$137,577 Physicist...
$153,724 Physicist...
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What Am I Worth?

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:

  • San Jose: $92,458
  • San Francisco: $91,549
  • Oakland: $89,519

What Skills Can Increase a Physicist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 10.25% 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.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 6.54% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Technical Skills (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 10.25%
Calibration 6.54%
Technical Skills 1.6%
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 Physicist I's salary.
  • Nuclear Medicine: Can increase your salary by up to 56%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 51%.
  • MRI: Can increase your salary by up to 50%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Nuclear Medicine
$111,907
56%
Consulting
$108,320
51%
MRI
$107,603
50%
Coordination
$85,365
19%
Planning
$83,213
16%
Insight
$80,344
12%
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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 January 01, 2026

Physicist I Salary Growth & Career Path

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 $65,885 -8%
Biologist II $65,394 -9%
Geologist II $67,499 -6%
Geophysicist II $102,099 42%

Find Your Next Physicist I Job

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Cost of Living In Salt Lake City, UT

Cost of Living in Salt Lake City, UT is
7.4% Higher
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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