Physicist salary in Colorado Springs, CO
Physicists in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area earn a median of $158,070 a year ($75.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,670 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 51% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $104,580. There are 0.11 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $159,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Colorado Springs, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| 25th percentile | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Median | $158,070 | $75.99 |
| 75th percentile | $206,590 | $99.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,670 | $106.09 |
| Average (mean) | $159,680 | $76.77 |
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 | $13,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,586.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,079.62 |
| Weekly | $3,039.81 |
| Hourly | $75.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $166,140 | 120 |
| 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 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,460 | $46.86 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Chemist | $81,840 | $39.34 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $106,020 | $50.97 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $129,630 | $62.32 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| School Psychologist | $114,380 | $54.99 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,560 | $32.96 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $121,830 | $58.57 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $125,450 | $60.31 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $96,780 | $46.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,140 | $46.70 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado Springs, CO
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 Springs, CO?
The median salary for physicists in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area is $158,070 a year, or $75.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Colorado Springs, CO?
The top 10% of physicists in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area earn at least $220,670 a year. The top 25% earn $206,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Colorado Springs, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,350 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $108,160 or less.
How many physicists work in Colorado Springs, CO?
About 40 physicists are employed in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.