Theoretical Physicist Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Theoretical Physicist in the United States is $74,108 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,981
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,181 to $80,847
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,964
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View as table View as graph 25% $66,181 10% $58,964 90% $86,981 75% $80,847 $74,108 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Theoretical Physicist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,847 $6,737 $1,555 $39
Average $74,108 $6,176 $1,425 $36
25th Percentile $66,181 $5,515 $1,273 $32
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Key Factors That Influence Theoretical Physicist Salaries

A Theoretical 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 Theoretical Physicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Theoretical 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): $73,613
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,493
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,534
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $141,221
  • Expert (over 8 years): $157,713
Levels Salary
Theoretic... Level Theoretical Physicist$73,613
Physicist... Level Theoretical Physicist$92,493
Physicist... Level Theoretical Physicist$108,534
Physicist... Level Theoretical Physicist$141,221
Physicist... Level Theoretical Physicist$157,713
$73,613 0 yr
$92,493 < 2 yrs
$108,534 2-4 yrs
$141,221 5-8 yrs
$157,713 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Theoretical 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: $93,473
  • San Francisco: $92,449
  • Oakland: $90,501

What Skills Can Increase a Theoretical Physicist'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 Theoretical Physicist'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
$115,609
56%
Consulting
$111,903
51%
MRI
$111,162
50%
Coordination
$88,189
19%
Planning
$85,966
16%
Insight
$83,001
12%
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How Education impacts a Theoretical Physicist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Theoretical Physicists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Theoretical Physicist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,975 and $75,970).

Theoretical Physicist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Theoretical Physicist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 1.0%
Associates 19.0%
Bachelors 41.9%
Masters 19.0%
Doctorate 38.1%
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Theoretical Physicist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Theoretical 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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Theoretical Physicist

Salaries for a Theoretical Physicist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,930 in 2023 to around $54,695 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Theoretical Physicist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Theoretical Physicist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,930
2024
$54,901
2025
$54,695
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,930
2024 $54,901
2025 $54,695
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Theoretical Physicist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Theoretical Physicist

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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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