Physicist salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Physicists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $105,940 a year ($50.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,430 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Indiana statewide median of $105,940. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $141,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| 25th percentile | $105,320 | $50.64 |
| Median | $105,940 | $50.93 |
| 75th percentile | $176,030 | $84.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,430 | $105.98 |
| Average (mean) | $141,380 | $67.97 |
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 | $8,828.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,414.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,074.62 |
| Weekly | $2,037.31 |
| Hourly | $50.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $142,180 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $137,140 | 1,510 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| Hydrologist | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Biological Technician | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,810 | $23.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for physicists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $105,940 a year, or $50.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of physicists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $220,430 a year. The top 25% earn $176,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,840 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $105,320 or less.
How many physicists work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.