Physicist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Physicists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $141,200 a year ($67.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $270,590 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $140,460. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $164,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| 25th percentile | $106,440 | $51.17 |
| Median | $141,200 | $67.88 |
| 75th percentile | $227,810 | $109.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $270,590 | $130.09 |
| Average (mean) | $164,540 | $79.11 |
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 | $11,766.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,883.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,430.77 |
| Weekly | $2,715.38 |
| Hourly | $67.88 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,690 | $38.79 |
| Chemist | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $117,810 | $56.64 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,900 | $44.66 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $74,810 | $35.97 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| Biological Technician | $52,630 | $25.30 |
| School Psychologist | $78,090 | $37.54 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,560 | $29.59 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,520 | $40.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for physicists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $141,200 a year, or $67.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $270,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of physicists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $270,590 a year. The top 25% earn $227,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,120 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $106,440 or less.
How many physicists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 40 physicists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.