Physicist salary in Charlottesville, VA
Physicists in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $148,950 a year ($71.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,570 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 3% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $145,040. There are 0.48 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $160,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| 25th percentile | $109,490 | $52.64 |
| Median | $148,950 | $71.61 |
| 75th percentile | $202,960 | $97.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $229,570 | $110.37 |
| Average (mean) | $160,270 | $77.05 |
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 | $12,412.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,206.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,728.85 |
| Weekly | $2,864.42 |
| Hourly | $71.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $218,290 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $171,580 | 1,520 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $110,930 | 240 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $144,580 | $69.51 |
| Chemist | $87,260 | $41.95 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Biological Technician | $66,590 | $32.02 |
| Chemical Technician | $52,600 | $25.29 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Survey Researcher | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| School Psychologist | $80,900 | $38.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for physicists in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $148,950 a year, or $71.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $229,570 a year. The top 25% earn $202,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,920 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $109,490 or less.
How many physicists work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 50 physicists are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.