Physicist salary in Kentucky
Physicists in Kentucky earn a median of $180,910 a year ($86.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $282,000 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $172,250. Kentucky ranks 9th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.02 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.18). The average (mean) salary is $179,250, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,860 | $31.67 |
| 25th percentile | $120,100 | $57.74 |
| Median | $180,910 | $86.98 |
| 75th percentile | $232,170 | $111.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $282,000 | $135.58 |
| Average (mean) | $179,250 | $86.18 |
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 | $15,075.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,537.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,958.08 |
| Weekly | $3,479.04 |
| Hourly | $86.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $142,180 | 60 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Chemist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $77,510 | $37.27 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,120 | $29.38 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for physicists in Kentucky is $180,910 a year, or $86.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $282,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of physicists in Kentucky earn at least $282,000 a year. The top 25% earn $232,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,860 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $120,100 or less.
How many physicists work in Kentucky?
About 50 physicists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.