Physicists Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$97,720
- 25th Percentile — Junior$112,570
- 50th Percentile — Median$145,040
- 75th Percentile — Senior$195,190
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$238,570
Half of Physicists in Virginia earn more than $145,040. The top 10% make $238,570 or more, while entry-level workers start around $97,720.
Physicists in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 24th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $159,320 per year (6.9% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 940 people work as Physicists in Virginia — 4.6% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.74: Physicists jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $97,720; the top 10% earn over $238,570.
- Hourly equivalent: $76.6 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Virginia, Economists pays the most ($144,880).
Physicists Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Physicists here earn $159,320 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $159,320 is roughly equivalent to $144,836 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($166,770), Utah ($165,140), Oklahoma ($162,530) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Economists $144,880/yr Virginia 9.1% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $127,300/yr Virginia 20.1% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $126,950/yr Virginia 20.3% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $124,880/yr Virginia 21.6% vs this role
- Hydrologists $119,240/yr Virginia 25.2% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $111,970/yr Virginia 29.7% vs this role
- Geoscientists $105,120/yr Virginia 34.0% vs this role
- Chemists $104,120/yr Virginia 34.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Virginia?
The average Physicists salary in Virginia is $159,320 per year (median $145,040), which is 6.9% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Virginia rank for Physicists pay?
Virginia ranks 24th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Virginia earn about $97,720 per year and the 25th percentile is $112,570.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Virginia?
About $76.6 per hour, based on the $159,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in Virginia?
BLS counts 940 Physicists jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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