Physicist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Physicists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $175,060 a year ($84.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $287,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 4% lower than the New York statewide median of $181,970. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $181,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,510 | $39.19 |
| 25th percentile | $117,540 | $56.51 |
| Median | $175,060 | $84.16 |
| 75th percentile | $210,260 | $101.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $287,500 | $138.22 |
| Average (mean) | $181,310 | $87.17 |
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 | $14,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,294.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,733.08 |
| Weekly | $3,366.54 |
| Hourly | $84.16 |
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 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $159,240 | 50 |
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,370 | $45.37 |
| School Psychologist | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,390 | $48.74 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,270 | $39.56 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,530 | $47.85 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $81,480 | $39.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for physicists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $175,060 a year, or $84.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $287,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of physicists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $287,500 a year. The top 25% earn $210,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,510 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $117,540 or less.
How many physicists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 40 physicists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.