Physicist salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Physicists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $130,500 a year ($62.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $110,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $256,600 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $130,500. There are 0.03 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $162,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| 25th percentile | $111,450 | $53.58 |
| Median | $130,500 | $62.74 |
| 75th percentile | $201,880 | $97.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $256,600 | $123.37 |
| Average (mean) | $162,950 | $78.34 |
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 | $10,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,437.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,019.23 |
| Weekly | $2,509.62 |
| Hourly | $62.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $171,190 | 30 |
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 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Chemist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Hydrologist | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $123,750 | $59.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $108,390 | $52.11 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| School Psychologist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Biological Technician | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for physicists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $130,500 a year, or $62.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $110,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $256,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of physicists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $256,600 a year. The top 25% earn $201,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $110,430 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $111,450 or less.
How many physicists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.