Physicist salary in Worcester, MA
Physicists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $153,990 a year ($74.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $263,020 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 45% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $106,410. There are 0.12 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $166,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,500 | $54.09 |
| 25th percentile | $126,600 | $60.87 |
| Median | $153,990 | $74.03 |
| 75th percentile | $187,450 | $90.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $263,020 | $126.45 |
| Average (mean) | $166,280 | $79.94 |
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 | $12,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,922.69 |
| Weekly | $2,961.35 |
| Hourly | $74.03 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $155,150 | n/a |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,000 | 1,060 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $100,720 | $48.43 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Materials Scientist | $151,070 | $72.63 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $125,420 | $60.30 |
| Biological Technician | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| School Psychologist | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $112,060 | $53.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,300 | $42.45 |
| Microbiologist | $115,660 | $55.61 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $93,930 | $45.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for physicists in the Worcester, MA metro area is $153,990 a year, or $74.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $263,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $263,020 a year. The top 25% earn $187,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,500 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $126,600 or less.
How many physicists work in Worcester, MA?
About 40 physicists are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.