Physicist Salary in Maryland (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physicists in Maryland, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$174,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$83.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#12 of 43
1,200 employed here

How much does a Physicist make in Maryland?

Physicists in Maryland take home a median of $174,390 annually — roughly $83.84 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $172,250.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $105,560 while the top 10% make $219,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $132,560 and $195,190 a year.

Physicist salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$105,560$50.75
25th percentile (early career)$132,560$63.73
50th percentile (median)$174,390$83.84
75th percentile (experienced)$195,190$93.84
90th percentile (top earners)$219,450$105.50

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 12th out of 43 states and territories for Physicist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Florida$225,390
2New Hampshire$214,030
3Pennsylvania$210,990
4California$207,490
5Oregon$200,320

Working as a Physicist in Maryland

Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Physicists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Maryland pay ($174,390) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physicist make in Maryland?
The median Physicist salary in Maryland is $174,390 per year, or about $83.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $105,560 at the entry level to $219,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Physicists about 1% more than the national median of $172,250. Maryland ranks 12th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Physicists?
Yes on pay — Maryland pays above the national median for this occupation, at $174,390 a year. About 1,200 Physicists are employed in Maryland. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physicist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.