Physicist salary in Florida
Physicists in Florida earn a median of $225,390 a year ($108.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $113,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $308,580 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $172,250. Florida ranks 1st of 43 states for physicists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $219,910, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $113,240 | $54.44 |
| 25th percentile | $153,980 | $74.03 |
| Median | $225,390 | $108.36 |
| 75th percentile | $285,400 | $137.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $308,580 | $148.36 |
| Average (mean) | $219,910 | $105.73 |
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 | $18,782.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,391.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,668.85 |
| Weekly | $4,334.42 |
| Hourly | $108.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $272,480 | 100 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $266,260 | 70 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $146,350 | 30 |
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 Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $60,830 | $29.24 |
| Chemist | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,140 | $45.74 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $131,690 | $63.31 |
| Hydrologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $115,960 | $55.75 |
| Materials Scientist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,820 | $42.70 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $94,940 | $45.65 |
| Biological Technician | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| School Psychologist | $84,760 | $40.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Florida
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 Florida?
The median salary for physicists in Florida is $225,390 a year, or $108.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $113,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $308,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Florida?
The top 10% of physicists in Florida earn at least $308,580 a year. The top 25% earn $285,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $113,240 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $153,980 or less.
How many physicists work in Florida?
About 340 physicists are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.