Physicist Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$162,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$78.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#20 of 43
630 employed here

How much does a Physicist make in Ohio?

A Physicist working in Ohio earns a median salary of $162,900 per year, or about $78.32 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $172,250 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $64,860 while the top 10% make $239,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $118,060 and $239,360 a year.

Physicist salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,860$31.18
25th percentile (early career)$118,060$56.76
50th percentile (median)$162,900$78.32
75th percentile (experienced)$239,360$115.08
90th percentile (top earners)$239,360$115.08

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 20th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($162,900) 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 Ohio?
The median Physicist salary in Ohio is $162,900 per year, or about $78.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,860 at the entry level to $239,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Physicists about 5% less than the national median of $172,250. Ohio ranks 20th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Physicists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $162,900 a year. About 630 Physicists are employed in Ohio. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.