Physicist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Physicists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $106,000 a year ($50.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,150 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Massachusetts statewide median of $106,410. There are 0.39 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,050 | $39.45 |
| 25th percentile | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Median | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| 75th percentile | $170,190 | $81.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,150 | $102.48 |
| Average (mean) | $129,840 | $62.42 |
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 | $8,833.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,416.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,076.92 |
| Weekly | $2,038.46 |
| Hourly | $50.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $155,150 | n/a |
| Worcester, MA | $153,990 | 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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $127,290 | $61.20 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $137,050 | $65.89 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $102,730 | $49.39 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,550 | $63.25 |
| Biological Technician | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,960 | $50.94 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,410 | $53.08 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $121,270 | $58.30 |
| Microbiologist | $122,350 | $58.82 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for physicists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $106,000 a year, or $50.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of physicists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $213,150 a year. The top 25% earn $170,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,050 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $82,070 or less.
How many physicists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 1,060 physicists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.