Physicist salary in Utah
Physicists in Utah earn a median of $156,760 a year ($75.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $258,690 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $172,250. Utah ranks 22nd of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.02 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.14). The average (mean) salary is $165,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Utah
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| 25th percentile | $119,860 | $57.62 |
| Median | $156,760 | $75.37 |
| 75th percentile | $229,490 | $110.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $258,690 | $124.37 |
| Average (mean) | $165,140 | $79.39 |
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 | $13,063.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,531.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,029.23 |
| Weekly | $3,014.62 |
| Hourly | $75.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Utah
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,710 | $43.61 |
| Chemist | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $96,520 | $46.41 |
| Materials Scientist | $126,840 | $60.98 |
| Hydrologist | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,940 | $39.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,200 | $43.36 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Biological Technician | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,030 | $23.57 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Utah
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 Utah?
The median salary for physicists in Utah is $156,760 a year, or $75.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $258,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Utah?
The top 10% of physicists in Utah earn at least $258,690 a year. The top 25% earn $229,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Utah?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,090 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $119,860 or less.
How many physicists work in Utah?
About 30 physicists are employed in Utah, not counting the self-employed.