Physicists Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$82,340
- 25th Percentile — Junior$82,340
- 50th Percentile — Median$104,580
- 75th Percentile — Senior$168,240
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$210,950
Half of Physicists in Colorado earn more than $104,580. The top 10% make $210,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $82,340.
Physicists in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 41st of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $128,830 per year (24.7% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 1,050 people work as Physicists in Colorado — 5.1% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 2.77: Physicists jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,340; the top 10% earn over $210,950.
- Hourly equivalent: $61.94 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Colorado, Geoscientists pays the most ($132,120).
Physicists Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Physicists here earn $128,830 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $128,830 is roughly equivalent to $117,118 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($135,340), Delaware ($133,760), Indiana ($132,050) are the closest alternatives for Physicists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- Geoscientists $132,120/yr Colorado +2.6% vs this role
- Economists $127,020/yr Colorado 1.4% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,740/yr Colorado 4.7% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $118,330/yr Colorado 8.2% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $115,630/yr Colorado 10.2% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $107,330/yr Colorado 16.7% vs this role
- Chemists $106,480/yr Colorado 17.3% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $104,170/yr Colorado 19.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Colorado?
The average Physicists salary in Colorado is $128,830 per year (median $104,580), which is 24.7% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Colorado rank for Physicists pay?
Colorado ranks 41st out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Colorado earn about $82,340 per year and the 25th percentile is $82,340.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Colorado?
About $61.94 per hour, based on the $128,830 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in Colorado?
BLS counts 1,050 Physicists jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
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