Physicist salary in Arkansas
Physicists in Arkansas earn a median of $135,820 a year ($65.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $110,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,000 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $172,250. Arkansas ranks 31st of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.05 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $146,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| 25th percentile | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| Median | $135,820 | $65.30 |
| 75th percentile | $175,050 | $84.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,000 | $102.89 |
| Average (mean) | $146,880 | $70.62 |
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 | $11,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,659.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,223.85 |
| Weekly | $2,611.92 |
| Hourly | $65.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $139,810 | n/a |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $67,880 | $32.64 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $71,940 | $34.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Chemical Technician | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| School Psychologist | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Biological Technician | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,290 | $25.62 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for physicists in Arkansas is $135,820 a year, or $65.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $110,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of physicists in Arkansas earn at least $214,000 a year. The top 25% earn $175,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $110,390 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $110,390 or less.
How many physicists work in Arkansas?
About 60 physicists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.