Physicist salary in Idaho
Physicists in Idaho earn a median of $135,150 a year ($64.97 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $85,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,990 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $172,250. Idaho ranks 32nd of 43 states for physicists pay. The average (mean) salary is $148,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| 25th percentile | $108,480 | $52.15 |
| Median | $135,150 | $64.97 |
| 75th percentile | $175,150 | $84.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,990 | $96.15 |
| Average (mean) | $148,780 | $71.53 |
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 | $11,262.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,631.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,198.08 |
| Weekly | $2,599.04 |
| Hourly | $64.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | $135,150 | n/a |
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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Chemist | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Hydrologist | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $91,170 | $43.83 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Biological Technician | $42,130 | $20.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,010 | $39.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for physicists in Idaho is $135,150 a year, or $64.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Idaho?
The top 10% of physicists in Idaho earn at least $199,990 a year. The top 25% earn $175,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,110 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $108,480 or less.