Physicist salary in Montana
Physicists in Montana earn a median of $103,800 a year ($49.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $237,520 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $172,250. Montana ranks 40th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $125,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| 25th percentile | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Median | $103,800 | $49.90 |
| 75th percentile | $139,140 | $66.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $237,520 | $114.19 |
| Average (mean) | $125,680 | $60.43 |
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 | $8,650 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,325 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,992.31 |
| Weekly | $1,996.15 |
| Hourly | $49.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Hydrologist | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Materials Scientist | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for physicists in Montana is $103,800 a year, or $49.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $237,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Montana?
The top 10% of physicists in Montana earn at least $237,520 a year. The top 25% earn $139,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,500 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $74,710 or less.
How many physicists work in Montana?
About 30 physicists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.