Physicist salary in Alabama
Physicists in Alabama earn a median of $139,330 a year ($66.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,790 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $172,250. Alabama ranks 28th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.13 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $147,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| 25th percentile | $103,570 | $49.79 |
| Median | $139,330 | $66.98 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,790 | $109.51 |
| Average (mean) | $147,580 | $70.95 |
Half of physicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,610.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,805.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,358.85 |
| Weekly | $2,679.42 |
| Hourly | $66.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $149,990 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Chemist | $97,830 | $47.03 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $135,350 | $65.07 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $70,710 | $33.99 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| School Psychologist | $75,060 | $36.09 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $87,260 | $41.95 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $95,370 | $45.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Alabama?
The median salary for physicists in Alabama is $139,330 a year, or $66.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of physicists in Alabama earn at least $227,790 a year. The top 25% earn $195,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,290 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $103,570 or less.
How many physicists work in Alabama?
About 280 physicists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.