Physicist salary in South Carolina
Physicists in South Carolina earn a median of $138,400 a year ($66.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $106,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,440 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $172,250. South Carolina ranks 29th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.18 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $159,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| 25th percentile | $110,600 | $53.18 |
| Median | $138,400 | $66.54 |
| 75th percentile | $172,350 | $82.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $228,440 | $109.83 |
| Average (mean) | $159,280 | $76.58 |
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 | $11,533.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,766.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,323.08 |
| Weekly | $2,661.54 |
| Hourly | $66.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $128,040 | 70 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,910 | $36.02 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Materials Scientist | $101,930 | $49.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| School Psychologist | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Biological Technician | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $75,810 | $36.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for physicists in South Carolina is $138,400 a year, or $66.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $106,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of physicists in South Carolina earn at least $228,440 a year. The top 25% earn $172,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $106,510 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $110,600 or less.
How many physicists work in South Carolina?
About 420 physicists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.