Physicist salary in Minnesota
Physicists in Minnesota earn a median of $171,220 a year ($82.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $131,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $336,740 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $172,250. Minnesota ranks 15th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $201,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $131,870 | $63.40 |
| 25th percentile | $152,410 | $73.28 |
| Median | $171,220 | $82.32 |
| 75th percentile | $284,820 | $136.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $336,740 | $161.90 |
| Average (mean) | $201,530 | $96.89 |
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 | $14,268.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,134.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,585.38 |
| Weekly | $3,292.69 |
| Hourly | $82.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| Chemist | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $147,890 | $71.10 |
| Hydrologist | $94,580 | $45.47 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,160 | $63.54 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $106,270 | $51.09 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $89,950 | $43.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Biological Technician | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,030 | $51.46 |
| School Psychologist | $85,190 | $40.96 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $103,330 | $49.68 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for physicists in Minnesota is $171,220 a year, or $82.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $131,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $336,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of physicists in Minnesota earn at least $336,740 a year. The top 25% earn $284,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $131,870 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $152,410 or less.
How many physicists work in Minnesota?
About 110 physicists are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.