Physicist salary in Albuquerque, NM
Physicists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $165,340 a year ($79.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $120,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,300 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the New Mexico statewide median of $165,340. There are 0.81 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $177,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $120,720 | $58.04 |
| 25th percentile | $154,960 | $74.50 |
| Median | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| 75th percentile | $203,570 | $97.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,300 | $108.32 |
| Average (mean) | $177,280 | $85.23 |
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 | $13,778.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,889.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,359.23 |
| Weekly | $3,179.62 |
| Hourly | $79.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $112,400 | 30 |
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 Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Chemist | $126,960 | $61.04 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $121,890 | $58.60 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Hydrologist | $101,520 | $48.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $80,630 | $38.77 |
| School Psychologist | $109,930 | $52.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $70,600 | $33.94 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $92,160 | $44.31 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,420 | $38.18 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for physicists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $165,340 a year, or $79.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $120,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of physicists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $225,300 a year. The top 25% earn $203,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $120,720 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $154,960 or less.
How many physicists work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 330 physicists are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.