Physicist salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Physicists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $159,240 a year ($76.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $121,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,850 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 12% lower than the New York statewide median of $181,970. There are 0.12 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $176,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $121,240 | $58.29 |
| 25th percentile | $134,480 | $64.65 |
| Median | $159,240 | $76.56 |
| 75th percentile | $197,820 | $95.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $250,850 | $120.60 |
| Average (mean) | $176,840 | $85.02 |
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 | $13,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,635 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,124.62 |
| Weekly | $3,062.31 |
| Hourly | $76.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $181,970 | 1,070 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $175,060 | 40 |
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 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Chemist | $110,920 | $53.33 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,650 | $63.77 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,870 | $41.77 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $134,060 | $64.45 |
| Biological Technician | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| School Psychologist | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,190 | $42.40 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for physicists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $159,240 a year, or $76.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $121,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of physicists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $250,850 a year. The top 25% earn $197,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $121,240 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $134,480 or less.
How many physicists work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 50 physicists are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.