Physicist salary in Massachusetts
Physicists in Massachusetts earn a median of $106,410 a year ($51.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,150 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $172,250. Massachusetts ranks 37th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.32 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $130,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,050 | $39.45 |
| 25th percentile | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Median | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| 75th percentile | $170,190 | $81.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,150 | $102.48 |
| Average (mean) | $130,250 | $62.62 |
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 | $8,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,433.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,092.69 |
| Weekly | $2,046.35 |
| Hourly | $51.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $155,150 | n/a |
| Worcester, MA | $153,990 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,000 | 1,060 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $108,210 | $52.03 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $138,380 | $66.53 |
| Hydrologist | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,050 | $51.95 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,180 | $55.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for physicists in Massachusetts is $106,410 a year, or $51.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of physicists in Massachusetts earn at least $213,150 a year. The top 25% earn $170,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,050 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $82,070 or less.
How many physicists work in Massachusetts?
About 1,150 physicists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.