Physicists Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$106,510
- 25th Percentile — Junior$110,600
- 50th Percentile — Median$138,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$172,350
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$228,440
Half of Physicists in South Carolina earn more than $138,400. The top 10% make $228,440 or more, while entry-level workers start around $106,510.
Physicists in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 25th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $159,280 per year (7.0% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 420 people work as Physicists in South Carolina — 2.1% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.38: Physicists jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $106,510; the top 10% earn over $228,440.
- Hourly equivalent: $76.58 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in South Carolina, Food Scientists and Technologists pays the most ($111,910).
Physicists Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Physicists here earn $159,280 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $159,280 is roughly equivalent to $181,000 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Utah ($165,140), Oklahoma ($162,530), Arizona ($159,730) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Food Scientists and Technologists $111,910/yr South Carolina 29.7% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $110,710/yr South Carolina 30.5% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $105,730/yr South Carolina 33.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $93,390/yr South Carolina 41.4% vs this role
- Geoscientists $91,120/yr South Carolina 42.8% vs this role
- Chemists $90,130/yr South Carolina 43.4% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $83,920/yr South Carolina 47.3% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $79,550/yr South Carolina 50.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in South Carolina?
The average Physicists salary in South Carolina is $159,280 per year (median $138,400), which is 7.0% below the national average of $171,180.
How does South Carolina rank for Physicists pay?
South Carolina ranks 25th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in South Carolina earn about $106,510 per year and the 25th percentile is $110,600.
How much do Physicists make per hour in South Carolina?
About $76.58 per hour, based on the $159,280 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 420 Physicists jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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