Physicist salary in Ohio
Physicists in Ohio earn a median of $162,900 a year ($78.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,360 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $172,250. Ohio ranks 20th 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 $172,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,860 | $31.19 |
| 25th percentile | $118,060 | $56.76 |
| Median | $162,900 | $78.32 |
| 75th percentile | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| Average (mean) | $172,300 | $82.84 |
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 | $13,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,787.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,265.38 |
| Weekly | $3,132.69 |
| Hourly | $78.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $239,360 | 240 |
| Columbus, OH | $170,400 | 70 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $151,050 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $142,180 | 60 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $85,270 | $41.00 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Materials Scientist | $108,830 | $52.32 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $108,790 | $52.30 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Hydrologist | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,460 | $43.97 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Biological Technician | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| School Psychologist | $91,010 | $43.76 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $98,630 | $47.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for physicists in Ohio is $162,900 a year, or $78.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Ohio?
The top 10% of physicists in Ohio earn at least $239,360 a year. The top 25% earn $239,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,860 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $118,060 or less.
How many physicists work in Ohio?
About 630 physicists are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.