📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Physicist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$134,025
per year
Median
$124,925
per year
Hourly
$64.44
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,738
25th Percentile — Junior$103,312
50th Percentile — Median$124,925
75th Percentile — Senior$167,604
90th Percentile — Top Earners$193,628
💡 Top-earning Physicists in North Carolina make up to $193,628 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$112.8k
2021
$116.8k
2022
$120.9k
2023
$125.1k
2024
$129.5k
2025
$134.0k
2026
📈 Physicist salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Physicist Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $128,664 -4.0% High
Raleigh $131,344 -2.0% High
Greensboro $120,622 -10.0% High
Durham $130,004 -3.0% High
Winston-Salem $116,602 -13.0% High
🔍
Physicist Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Physicists. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $134,025 per year, North Carolina's Physicist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $74,738–$103,312, while experienced Physicists can command $167,604–$193,628.

Looking ahead, the Physicist profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Physicist salary in North Carolina is $134,025 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $147,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Physicists the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Physicist employment.
  • At $134,025/year, North Carolina Physicist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $147,280/year.