Physicist salary in North Carolina
Physicists in North Carolina earn a median of $174,180 a year ($83.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $256,860 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $172,250. North Carolina ranks 13th 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 0.23). The average (mean) salary is $153,120, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| 25th percentile | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Median | $174,180 | $83.74 |
| 75th percentile | $209,210 | $100.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $256,860 | $123.49 |
| Average (mean) | $153,120 | $73.61 |
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 | $14,515 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,257.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,699.23 |
| Weekly | $3,349.62 |
| Hourly | $83.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $110,930 | 240 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Hydrologist | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for physicists in North Carolina is $174,180 a year, or $83.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $256,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of physicists in North Carolina earn at least $256,860 a year. The top 25% earn $209,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,050 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $81,370 or less.
How many physicists work in North Carolina?
About 150 physicists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.