Physicist salary in New Jersey
Physicists in New Jersey earn a median of $163,270 a year ($78.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,830 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $172,250. New Jersey ranks 19th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.11 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $175,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| 25th percentile | $120,820 | $58.09 |
| Median | $163,270 | $78.49 |
| 75th percentile | $222,140 | $106.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,830 | $139.34 |
| Average (mean) | $175,090 | $84.18 |
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 | $13,605.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,802.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,279.62 |
| Weekly | $3,139.81 |
| Hourly | $78.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $181,970 | 1,070 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $164,850 | 150 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $135,030 | n/a |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| Materials Scientist | $103,150 | $49.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,500 | $42.55 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $120,180 | $57.78 |
| Hydrologist | $126,680 | $60.90 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,280 | $62.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $127,090 | $61.10 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $122,620 | $58.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $55,980 | $26.91 |
| School Psychologist | $95,160 | $45.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for physicists in New Jersey is $163,270 a year, or $78.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of physicists in New Jersey earn at least $289,830 a year. The top 25% earn $222,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,490 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $120,820 or less.
How many physicists work in New Jersey?
About 470 physicists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.