Physicist salary in Arizona
Physicists in Arizona earn a median of $130,500 a year ($62.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $242,730 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $172,250. Arizona ranks 34th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $159,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,160 | $49.11 |
| 25th percentile | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Median | $130,500 | $62.74 |
| 75th percentile | $197,260 | $94.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $242,730 | $116.70 |
| Average (mean) | $159,730 | $76.79 |
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 | $10,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,437.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,019.23 |
| Weekly | $2,509.62 |
| Hourly | $62.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $171,190 | 30 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $130,500 | 80 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Chemist | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $85,190 | $40.96 |
| Hydrologist | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $125,270 | $60.23 |
| Astronomer | $129,020 | $62.03 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $115,020 | $55.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $116,820 | $56.16 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| School Psychologist | $92,380 | $44.42 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,250 | $30.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for physicists in Arizona is $130,500 a year, or $62.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $242,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of physicists in Arizona earn at least $242,730 a year. The top 25% earn $197,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,160 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $110,430 or less.
How many physicists work in Arizona?
About 120 physicists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.