Physicist salary in Huntsville, AL
Physicists in the Huntsville, AL metro area earn a median of $149,990 a year ($72.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,820 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 8% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $139,330. There are 0.68 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $155,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Huntsville, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| 25th percentile | $110,240 | $53.00 |
| Median | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,820 | $109.53 |
| Average (mean) | $155,940 | $74.97 |
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 | $12,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,249.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,768.85 |
| Weekly | $2,884.42 |
| Hourly | $72.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Huntsville, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Chemist | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $142,650 | $68.58 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,400 | $39.61 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,570 | $45.47 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| School Psychologist | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Biological Technician | $50,330 | $24.20 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Huntsville, AL
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 Huntsville, AL?
The median salary for physicists in the Huntsville, AL metro area is $149,990 a year, or $72.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Huntsville, AL?
The top 10% of physicists in the Huntsville, AL metro area earn at least $227,820 a year. The top 25% earn $195,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Huntsville, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,230 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $110,240 or less.
How many physicists work in Huntsville, AL?
About 180 physicists are employed in the Huntsville, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.