Physicist salary in Cleveland, OH
Physicists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $239,360 a year ($115.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $107,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,360 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 47% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $162,900. There are 0.23 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $209,480, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| 25th percentile | $184,170 | $88.54 |
| Median | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| 75th percentile | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| Average (mean) | $209,480 | $100.71 |
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 | $19,946.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,973.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $9,206.15 |
| Weekly | $4,603.08 |
| Hourly | $115.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $170,400 | 70 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $151,050 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $142,180 | 60 |
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 Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| Materials Scientist | $111,810 | $53.75 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $106,620 | $51.26 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,800 | $37.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,070 | $42.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Biological Technician | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| School Psychologist | $94,250 | $45.31 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,160 | $30.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $63,980 | $30.76 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for physicists in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $239,360 a year, or $115.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $107,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of physicists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $239,360 a year. The top 25% earn $239,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $107,120 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $184,170 or less.
How many physicists work in Cleveland, OH?
About 240 physicists are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.