Physicist salary in Washington
Physicists in Washington earn a median of $134,790 a year ($64.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $238,430 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $172,250. Washington ranks 33rd of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.13 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $149,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| 25th percentile | $110,940 | $53.34 |
| Median | $134,790 | $64.81 |
| 75th percentile | $174,630 | $83.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $238,430 | $114.63 |
| Average (mean) | $149,060 | $71.66 |
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 | $11,232.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,616.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,184.23 |
| Weekly | $2,592.12 |
| Hourly | $64.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $172,080 | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $140,370 | 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Chemist | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $133,980 | $64.41 |
| Hydrologist | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $94,400 | $45.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for physicists in Washington is $134,790 a year, or $64.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $238,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Washington?
The top 10% of physicists in Washington earn at least $238,430 a year. The top 25% earn $174,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,860 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $110,940 or less.
How many physicists work in Washington?
About 450 physicists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.