Physicist salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Physicists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $155,150 a year ($74.59 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $86,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $298,000 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Rhode Island statewide median of $155,150. The average (mean) salary is $171,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,340 | $41.51 |
| 25th percentile | $111,240 | $53.48 |
| Median | $155,150 | $74.59 |
| 75th percentile | $187,080 | $89.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $298,000 | $143.27 |
| Average (mean) | $171,850 | $82.62 |
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 | $12,929.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,464.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,967.31 |
| Weekly | $2,983.65 |
| Hourly | $74.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $153,990 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,000 | 1,060 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Chemist | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $180,470 | $86.77 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $107,060 | $51.47 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,240 | $57.81 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,670 | $51.29 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $108,940 | $52.38 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,320 | $47.27 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $87,880 | $42.25 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,420 | $32.41 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $77,710 | $37.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for physicists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $155,150 a year, or $74.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $298,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $298,000 a year. The top 25% earn $187,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,340 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $111,240 or less.