Physicist salary in Oregon
Physicists in Oregon earn a median of $200,320 a year ($96.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $315,910 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $172,250. Oregon ranks 5th of 43 states for physicists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $207,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| 25th percentile | $148,800 | $71.54 |
| Median | $200,320 | $96.31 |
| 75th percentile | $277,840 | $133.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $315,910 | $151.88 |
| Average (mean) | $207,370 | $99.70 |
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 | $16,693.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,346.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,704.62 |
| Weekly | $3,852.31 |
| Hourly | $96.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $172,080 | 50 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Chemist | $104,590 | $50.28 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Hydrologist | $93,690 | $45.04 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $109,580 | $52.69 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Materials Scientist | $150,550 | $72.38 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,070 | $49.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for physicists in Oregon is $200,320 a year, or $96.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $315,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Oregon?
The top 10% of physicists in Oregon earn at least $315,910 a year. The top 25% earn $277,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,370 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $148,800 or less.
How many physicists work in Oregon?
About 90 physicists are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.