Physicist salary in Richmond, VA
Physicists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $218,290 a year ($104.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $116,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $266,770 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 51% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $145,040. There are 0.06 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $202,250, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $116,850 | $56.18 |
| 25th percentile | $164,480 | $79.08 |
| Median | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| 75th percentile | $246,960 | $118.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $266,770 | $128.25 |
| Average (mean) | $202,250 | $97.24 |
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 | $18,190.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,095.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,395.77 |
| Weekly | $4,197.88 |
| Hourly | $104.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $171,580 | 1,520 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $148,950 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $110,930 | 240 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,510 | $54.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| School Psychologist | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,100 | $37.07 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for physicists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $218,290 a year, or $104.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $116,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $266,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $266,770 a year. The top 25% earn $246,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $116,850 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $164,480 or less.
How many physicists work in Richmond, VA?
About 40 physicists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.