Physicist salary in Hawaii
Physicists in Hawaii earn a median of $117,190 a year ($56.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $383,510 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $172,250. Hawaii ranks 36th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.06 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $177,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Hawaii
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| 25th percentile | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Median | $117,190 | $56.34 |
| 75th percentile | $243,740 | $117.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $383,510 | $184.38 |
| Average (mean) | $177,940 | $85.55 |
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 | $9,765.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,882.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,507.31 |
| Weekly | $2,253.65 |
| Hourly | $56.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Hawaii
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $117,190 | 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 Hawaii
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,510 | $38.23 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,270 | $51.09 |
| Astronomer | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $112,880 | $54.27 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $121,010 | $58.18 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,880 | $24.46 |
| Biological Technician | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,840 | $45.60 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $85,590 | $41.15 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $92,520 | $44.48 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $95,600 | $45.96 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $117,860 | $56.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Hawaii
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 Hawaii?
The median salary for physicists in Hawaii is $117,190 a year, or $56.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $383,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Hawaii?
The top 10% of physicists in Hawaii earn at least $383,510 a year. The top 25% earn $243,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Hawaii?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,190 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $98,680 or less.
How many physicists work in Hawaii?
About 40 physicists are employed in Hawaii, not counting the self-employed.