Physicist salary in Madison, WI
Physicists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $136,450 a year ($65.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,140 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 21% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $173,120. There are 0.20 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,310 | $42.94 |
| 25th percentile | $89,310 | $42.94 |
| Median | $136,450 | $65.60 |
| 75th percentile | $157,440 | $75.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,140 | $94.78 |
| Average (mean) | $137,180 | $65.95 |
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 | $11,370.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,685.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,248.08 |
| Weekly | $2,624.04 |
| Hourly | $65.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $173,160 | 50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $168,450 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $107,970 | $51.91 |
| Hydrologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,520 | $40.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $95,580 | $45.95 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Agricultural Technician | $47,030 | $22.61 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for physicists in the Madison, WI metro area is $136,450 a year, or $65.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of physicists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $197,140 a year. The top 25% earn $157,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,310 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $89,310 or less.
How many physicists work in Madison, WI?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.