Physicists Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$77,860
- 25th Percentile — Junior$110,940
- 50th Percentile — Median$134,790
- 75th Percentile — Senior$174,630
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$238,430
Half of Physicists in Washington earn more than $134,790. The top 10% make $238,430 or more, while entry-level workers start around $77,860.
Physicists in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 31st of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $149,060 per year (12.9% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 450 people work as Physicists in Washington — 2.2% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.96: Physicists jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $77,860; the top 10% earn over $238,430.
- Hourly equivalent: $71.66 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Washington, Materials Scientists pays the most ($139,140).
Physicists Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Physicists here earn $149,060 on average, placing the state 31st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $149,060 is roughly equivalent to $119,248 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($156,130), North Carolina ($153,120), Louisiana ($152,750) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Materials Scientists $139,140/yr Washington 6.7% vs this role
- Hydrologists $123,510/yr Washington 17.1% vs this role
- Economists $120,550/yr Washington 19.1% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $117,840/yr Washington 20.9% vs this role
- Geoscientists $117,140/yr Washington 21.4% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $113,120/yr Washington 24.1% vs this role
- Chemists $104,480/yr Washington 29.9% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $103,580/yr Washington 30.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Washington?
The average Physicists salary in Washington is $149,060 per year (median $134,790), which is 12.9% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Washington rank for Physicists pay?
Washington ranks 31st out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Washington earn about $77,860 per year and the 25th percentile is $110,940.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Washington?
About $71.66 per hour, based on the $149,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in Washington?
BLS counts 450 Physicists jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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