What are the main factors that influence a Physicist'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 $80,596, a Physicist II (2-4 years)earns $101,256, a Physicist (4-7 years)earns $118,827, a Physicist IV (7+ years)earns $154,607, a Physicist V (7-10 years)earns $172,685,

What are the highest paying states for a Physicist?

Physicist salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Physicist roles are District of Columbia $119,795, California $119,340, Massachusetts $117,750. 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: $507,665; Physicist VI: $186,378; Physicist V: $157,144; Specialist Physicist: $140,700; Physicist IV: $140,693.

Physicist Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Physicist make in District of Columbia?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist in District of Columbia is $119,795 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,941
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,483 to $132,957
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,184

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Physicist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$132,957	$11,080	$2,557	$64
Average	$119,795	$9,983	$2,304	$58
25th Percentile	$108,483	$9,040	$2,086	$52

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Key Factors That Influence Physicist Salaries

A 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,596
Early Career (1-2 years): $101,256
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,827
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,607
Expert (over 8 years): $172,685

Levels	Salary
Physicist... Level Physicist	$80,596
Physicist... Level Physicist	$101,256
Physicist... Level Physicist	$118,827
Physicist... Level Physicist	$154,607
Physicist... Level Physicist	$172,685

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $119,795.
California: $119,340.
Massachusetts: $117,750.

District of Columbia $119,795 California $119,340 Massachusetts $117,750 Washington $117,317 New Jersey $117,274 Alaska $117,122 Connecticut $115,629 New York $115,023

Hawaii $113,086 Rhode Island $112,178 Maryland $111,561 Minnesota $110,717 Colorado $110,392 Illinois $110,284 Oregon $109,873 Delaware $109,570

New Hampshire $109,380 Virginia $108,953 Pennsylvania $107,709 Nevada $107,082 North Dakota $106,876 Michigan $106,551 Wisconsin $106,432 Vermont $106,194

Texas $105,534 Maine $105,491 Arizona $105,426 Ohio $105,350 Georgia $104,355 Indiana $103,857 Wyoming $103,760 Utah $103,608

Iowa $103,544 Kansas $103,024 Louisiana $102,873 North Carolina $102,819 Missouri $102,797 Florida $102,375 Montana $102,148 Nebraska $101,931

Kentucky $101,812 South Carolina $101,380 Tennessee $101,109 Idaho $101,001 New Mexico $100,211 Oklahoma $100,038 Alabama $99,400 South Dakota $98,329

Arkansas $97,744 West Virginia $97,430 Mississippi $96,489

Top Paying Cities for 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:

Parcel Return Service: $119,795
Washington: $119,795
Naval Anacost Annex: $119,795

Parcel Return Service, DC $119,795 Washington, DC $119,795 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $119,795 Washington Navy Yard, DC $119,795

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

Understanding how a 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 April 01, 2026

$108,483

Average $119,795/year

$132,957

$9,040

Average $9,983/month

$11,080

$2,086

Average $2,304/week

$2,557

$52

Average $58/hour

$64

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$132,957	$11,080	$2,557	$64
Average	$119,795	$9,983	$2,304	$58
25th Percentile	$108,483	$9,040	$2,086	$52

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