Physicist salary in Rhode Island
Physicists in Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island ranks 23rd of 43 states for physicists pay. The average (mean) salary is $169,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Rhode Island
| 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) | $169,270 | $81.38 |
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 cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $155,150 | n/a |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Chemist | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $121,010 | $58.18 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,370 | $49.70 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| School Psychologist | $94,900 | $45.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,740 | $48.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Biological Technician | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $101,750 | $48.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for physicists in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
The top 10% of physicists in Rhode Island earn at least $298,000 a year. The top 25% earn $187,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,340 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $111,240 or less.