Physicist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Physicists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $166,140 a year ($79.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $107,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $230,950 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 59% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $104,580. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $165,840, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,610 | $51.74 |
| 25th percentile | $130,640 | $62.81 |
| Median | $166,140 | $79.88 |
| 75th percentile | $206,340 | $99.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $230,950 | $111.03 |
| Average (mean) | $165,840 | $79.73 |
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 | $13,845 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,922.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,390 |
| Weekly | $3,195 |
| Hourly | $79.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Chemist | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $140,980 | $67.78 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Hydrologist | $108,680 | $52.25 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,440 | $41.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Epidemiologist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $87,170 | $41.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for physicists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $166,140 a year, or $79.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $107,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $230,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of physicists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $230,950 a year. The top 25% earn $206,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $107,610 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $130,640 or less.
How many physicists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 120 physicists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.