Physicist salary in Colorado
Physicists in Colorado earn a median of $104,580 a year ($50.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,950 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $172,250. Colorado ranks 39th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.36 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $128,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,340 | $39.59 |
| 25th percentile | $82,340 | $39.59 |
| Median | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| 75th percentile | $168,240 | $80.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,950 | $101.42 |
| Average (mean) | $128,830 | $61.94 |
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 | $8,715 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,357.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,022.31 |
| Weekly | $2,011.15 |
| Hourly | $50.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $166,140 | 120 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $158,070 | 40 |
| Boulder, CO | $104,580 | 860 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,290 | $56.39 |
| Hydrologist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | $59.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for physicists in Colorado is $104,580 a year, or $50.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of physicists in Colorado earn at least $210,950 a year. The top 25% earn $168,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,340 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $82,340 or less.
How many physicists work in Colorado?
About 1,050 physicists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.