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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
Physicist salary in other states
Florida $225,390New Hampshire $214,030Pennsylvania $210,990California $207,490Oregon $200,320Oklahoma $200,050Texas $184,040New York $181,970Kentucky $180,910Connecticut $180,300Iowa $178,110North Carolina $174,180Wisconsin $173,120Minnesota $171,220Louisiana $166,240New Mexico $165,340Tennessee $165,010New Jersey $163,270Ohio $162,900District of Columbia $157,040Utah $156,760Rhode Island $155,150Nevada $154,030Virginia $145,040Georgia $144,870Missouri $140,460Alabama $139,330South Carolina $138,400Illinois $137,140Arkansas $135,820Idaho $135,150Washington $134,790Arizona $130,500Mississippi $129,970Hawaii $117,190Massachusetts $106,410Indiana $105,940Colorado $104,580Montana $103,800Michigan $94,520South Dakota $83,050Delaware $82,590
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.