Physicist salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Physicists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $135,030 a year ($64.92 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $102,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,870 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 17% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $163,270. The average (mean) salary is $153,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| 25th percentile | $103,480 | $49.75 |
| Median | $135,030 | $64.92 |
| 75th percentile | $178,000 | $85.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,870 | $108.59 |
| Average (mean) | $153,100 | $73.61 |
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 | $11,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,626.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,193.46 |
| Weekly | $2,596.73 |
| Hourly | $64.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $181,970 | 1,070 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $164,850 | 150 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Chemist | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,840 | $56.65 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,650 | $56.56 |
| Hydrologist | $128,320 | $61.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $133,870 | $64.36 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $124,300 | $59.76 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Biological Technician | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,670 | $26.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $58,480 | $28.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $128,850 | $61.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for physicists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $135,030 a year, or $64.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of physicists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $225,870 a year. The top 25% earn $178,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,440 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $103,480 or less.