Physicist salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Physicists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $142,180 a year ($68.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $256,730 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 13% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $162,900. There are 0.06 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $145,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,240 | $25.60 |
| 25th percentile | $63,180 | $30.38 |
| Median | $142,180 | $68.36 |
| 75th percentile | $175,180 | $84.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $256,730 | $123.43 |
| Average (mean) | $145,800 | $70.09 |
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 | $11,848.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,924.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,468.46 |
| Weekly | $2,734.23 |
| Hourly | $68.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $239,360 | 240 |
| Columbus, OH | $170,400 | 70 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $151,050 | 130 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $137,140 | 1,510 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $105,940 | 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 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $96,170 | $46.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $120,740 | $58.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Biological Technician | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| School Psychologist | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $67,930 | $32.66 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $185,390 | $89.13 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for physicists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $142,180 a year, or $68.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $256,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of physicists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $256,730 a year. The top 25% earn $175,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,240 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $63,180 or less.
How many physicists work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 60 physicists are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.