📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Physicist Salary in Washington (2026)

Washington · 25.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$184,100
per year
Median
$171,600
per year
Hourly
$88.51
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$102,662
25th Percentile — Junior$141,912
50th Percentile — Median$171,600
75th Percentile — Senior$230,225
90th Percentile — Top Earners$265,972
💡 Top-earning Physicists in Washington make up to $265,972 per year. The job market in Washington is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$155.0k
2021
$160.4k
2022
$166.0k
2023
$171.9k
2024
$177.9k
2025
$184.1k
2026
📈 Physicist salaries in Washington have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Washington's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Physicist Salary by City in Washington
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Seattle $254,058 +38.0% High
Spokane $184,100 +0.0% High
Tacoma $220,920 +20.0% High
🔍
Physicist Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation

Washington is home to a very strong job market for Physicists. The state's key industries — Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $184,100 per year, Washington's Physicist salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Washington (index: 1.25) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Washington can expect to earn $102,662–$141,912, while experienced Physicists can command $230,225–$265,972.

Looking ahead, the Physicist profession in Washington 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
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Physicist salary in Washington is $184,100 per year in 2026, which is 25.0% above the national average of $147,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Physicists the highest wages in Washington due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Washington has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Physicist employment.
  • At $184,100/year, Washington Physicist salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average of $147,280/year.