Pennsylvania Median
$210,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$101.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#3 of 43
230 employed here
How much does a Physicist make in Pennsylvania?
Physicists in Pennsylvania take home a median of $210,990 annually — roughly $101.44 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $172,250.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $88,300 while the top 10% make $261,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $150,950 and $231,190 a year.
Physicist salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,300 | $42.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $150,950 | $72.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $210,990 | $101.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $231,190 | $111.15 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $261,820 | $125.88 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 3rd out of 43 states and territories for Physicist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physicist salary in other states
Florida $225,390New Hampshire $214,030California $207,490Oregon $200,320Oklahoma $200,050Texas $184,040New York $181,970Kentucky $180,910Connecticut $180,300Iowa $178,110Maryland $174,390North 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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($210,990) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Physicist salary in Pennsylvania is $210,990 per year, or about $101.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $88,300 at the entry level to $261,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Physicists about 22% more than the national median of $172,250. Pennsylvania ranks 3rd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Physicists?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $210,990 a year. About 230 Physicists are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Physicist salary report
Related salaries
$122,570
median pay · 22,000 employed
$124,720
median pay · 18,000 employed
$106,030
median pay · 2,000 employed
$193,950
median pay · 1,000 employed
$110,840
median pay · 19,000 employed
$103,410
median pay · 172,000 employed
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.