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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physicist in North Carolina is $102,910 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.
However, a Physicist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Physicist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $114,275 | $9,523 | $2,198 | $55 |
| Average | $102,910 | $8,576 | $1,979 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,408 | $7,784 | $1,796 | $45 |
UNC Health - Raleigh, NC
HannLeb Physics, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Duke Clinical Research Institute - Durham, NC
Iredell Memorial Hospital - Statesville, NC
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.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Physicist... Level Physicist | $69,224 |
| Physicist... Level Physicist | $87,010 |
| Physicist... Level Physicist | $102,074 |
| Physicist... Level Physicist | $132,833 |
| Physicist... Level Physicist | $148,287 |
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 Physicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Physicist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 115% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Physicist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Physicist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $144,074 | $69.0 | 40% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $133,783 | $64.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $128,637 | $62.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $123,492 | $59.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $113,201 | $54.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $114,275 | $9,523 | $2,198 | $55 |
| Average | $102,910 | $8,576 | $1,979 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,408 | $7,784 | $1,796 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physicist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Protouch Staffing
Concord, NC
Protouch Staffing | Concord, NC
Job Title. Job Description. Key Responsibilities. Own quality assurance (QA) across radiation therapy equipment (daily/weekly/monthly). Execute complex tre... more
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talent4health
Concord, NC
talent4health | Concord, NC
Talent4Health is seeking a travel Physicist for a travel job in Concord, North Carolina.Job Description & RequirementsSpecialty:PhysicistDiscipline:Allied ... more
9 Days Ago
UNC Health Care
Hendersonville, NC
UNC Health Care | Hendersonville, NC
DescriptionBecome part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communi... more
9 Days Ago
Dukehealth.org
Durham, NC
Dukehealth.org | Durham, NC
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matt... more
9 Days Ago
Genesis - West Region(Genesis Healthcare Uptown)
Greensboro, NC
Trinity Health
Concord, NC
Trinity Health | Concord, NC
DetailsClient NameAdvocate Health - CabarrusJob TypeTravelOfferingAlliedProfessionAllied Health ProfessionalSpecialtyPhysicistJob ID17646690Job TitleAllied... more
9 Days Ago
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