Physicist salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Physicists in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn a median of $156,750 a year ($75.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $290,140 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 15% lower than the Texas statewide median of $184,040. There are 0.02 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.15). The average (mean) salary is $182,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,230 | $36.17 |
| 25th percentile | $114,550 | $55.07 |
| Median | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| 75th percentile | $255,250 | $122.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $290,140 | $139.49 |
| Average (mean) | $182,220 | $87.61 |
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 | $13,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,028.85 |
| Weekly | $3,014.42 |
| Hourly | $75.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $199,770 | 140 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $194,290 | 100 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $107,340 | 120 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,210 | $40.97 |
| Chemist | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $133,590 | $64.23 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $132,780 | $63.84 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $92,790 | $44.61 |
| Materials Scientist | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79,470 | $38.21 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,230 | $28.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,990 | $30.29 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| School Psychologist | $84,200 | $40.48 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $53,780 | $25.86 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The median salary for physicists in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area is $156,750 a year, or $75.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $290,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The top 10% of physicists in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn at least $290,140 a year. The top 25% earn $255,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,230 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $114,550 or less.
How many physicists work in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.