Physicist salary in Missouri
Physicists in Missouri earn a median of $140,460 a year ($67.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $276,590 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $172,250. Missouri ranks 27th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.03 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $156,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| 25th percentile | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Median | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| 75th percentile | $227,810 | $109.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $276,590 | $132.98 |
| Average (mean) | $156,130 | $75.06 |
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 | $11,705 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,852.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,402.31 |
| Weekly | $2,701.15 |
| Hourly | $67.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $141,200 | 40 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $114,230 | $54.92 |
| Hydrologist | $116,100 | $55.82 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| Biological Technician | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for physicists in Missouri is $140,460 a year, or $67.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $276,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of physicists in Missouri earn at least $276,590 a year. The top 25% earn $227,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,550 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $96,720 or less.
How many physicists work in Missouri?
About 90 physicists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.