Physicist salary in Delaware
Physicists in Delaware earn a median of $82,590 a year ($39.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $293,950 for the top 10%. That is 52% lower than the national median of $172,250. Delaware ranks 43rd of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.10 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $133,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| 25th percentile | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| Median | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| 75th percentile | $210,590 | $101.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $293,950 | $141.32 |
| Average (mean) | $133,760 | $64.31 |
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 | $6,882.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,441.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,176.54 |
| Weekly | $1,588.27 |
| Hourly | $39.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $164,850 | 150 |
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 Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $129,860 | $62.43 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $67,110 | $32.27 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $113,050 | $54.35 |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| Microbiologist | $82,770 | $39.79 |
| Biological Technician | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,310 | $29.96 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for physicists in Delaware is $82,590 a year, or $39.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $293,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Delaware?
The top 10% of physicists in Delaware earn at least $293,950 a year. The top 25% earn $210,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,570 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $64,570 or less.
How many physicists work in Delaware?
About 50 physicists are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.