▼53%
$156,861
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$114k
MEDIAN
$157k
90%
$203k
The average salary for a Physicist is $156,861 in 2026
Base Salary
$114k - $203k
Bonus
$974 - $20k
Profit Sharing
$0 - $2k
Total Pay
$115k - $204k
Is Average Experienced Physicist Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Physicists?
What Do Physicists Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Physicist
Medical
100%
Dental
80%
Vision
70%
Gender Breakdown for Physicists
Male
100.0%
This data is based on 15 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Physicists
What is the highest pay for Physicists?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Physicist is $203k / year
What is the lowest pay for Physicists?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Physicist is $114k / year
How can Physicists increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Physicist is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Physicist that oversees more junior Physicists, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.