Physicist salary in Columbus, OH
Physicists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $170,400 a year ($81.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $271,830 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 5% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $162,900. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $168,330, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| 25th percentile | $106,830 | $51.36 |
| Median | $170,400 | $81.93 |
| 75th percentile | $218,520 | $105.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $271,830 | $130.69 |
| Average (mean) | $168,330 | $80.93 |
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 | $14,200 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,100 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,553.85 |
| Weekly | $3,276.92 |
| Hourly | $81.93 |
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 |
| 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Hydrologist | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Materials Scientist | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Biological Technician | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,940 | $31.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for physicists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $170,400 a year, or $81.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $271,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of physicists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $271,830 a year. The top 25% earn $218,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,090 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $106,830 or less.
How many physicists work in Columbus, OH?
About 70 physicists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.