Physicist salary in Wisconsin
Physicists in Wisconsin earn a median of $173,120 a year ($83.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $291,910 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $172,250. Wisconsin ranks 14th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.06 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $181,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,310 | $42.94 |
| 25th percentile | $120,440 | $57.90 |
| Median | $173,120 | $83.23 |
| 75th percentile | $237,320 | $114.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $291,910 | $140.34 |
| Average (mean) | $181,180 | $87.11 |
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 | $14,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,658.46 |
| Weekly | $3,329.23 |
| Hourly | $83.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $173,160 | 50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $168,450 | 80 |
| Madison, WI | $136,450 | 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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,870 | $41.29 |
| Hydrologist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,700 | $66.20 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,750 | $40.74 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| School Psychologist | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $113,360 | $54.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,290 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,440 | $28.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for physicists in Wisconsin is $173,120 a year, or $83.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $291,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of physicists in Wisconsin earn at least $291,910 a year. The top 25% earn $237,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,310 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $120,440 or less.
How many physicists work in Wisconsin?
About 180 physicists are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.