Physicist salary in Tucson, AZ
Physicists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $171,190 a year ($82.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $242,730 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 31% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $130,500. There are 0.09 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $149,540, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,630 | $46.46 |
| 25th percentile | $102,620 | $49.34 |
| Median | $171,190 | $82.31 |
| 75th percentile | $171,190 | $82.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $242,730 | $116.70 |
| Average (mean) | $149,540 | $71.90 |
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 | $14,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,132.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,584.23 |
| Weekly | $3,292.12 |
| Hourly | $82.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $130,500 | 80 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $90,700 | $43.61 |
| Hydrologist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $115,000 | $55.29 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| School Psychologist | $87,540 | $42.09 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Biological Technician | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| Conservation Scientist | $55,990 | $26.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for physicists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $171,190 a year, or $82.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $242,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of physicists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $242,730 a year. The top 25% earn $171,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,630 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $102,620 or less.
How many physicists work in Tucson, AZ?
About 30 physicists are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.