Physicist salary in Pennsylvania
Physicists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $210,990 a year ($101.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $261,820 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pennsylvania ranks 3rd 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 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $191,120, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,300 | $42.45 |
| 25th percentile | $150,950 | $72.57 |
| Median | $210,990 | $101.44 |
| 75th percentile | $231,190 | $111.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $261,820 | $125.87 |
| Average (mean) | $191,120 | $91.89 |
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 | $17,582.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,791.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,115 |
| Weekly | $4,057.50 |
| Hourly | $101.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $224,160 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $164,850 | 150 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,780 | $64.80 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Hydrologist | $91,730 | $44.10 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,920 | $51.41 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for physicists in Pennsylvania is $210,990 a year, or $101.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $261,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of physicists in Pennsylvania earn at least $261,820 a year. The top 25% earn $231,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,300 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $150,950 or less.
How many physicists work in Pennsylvania?
About 230 physicists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.