South Carolina Median
$138,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#29 of 43
420 employed here
How much does a Physicist make in South Carolina?
Physicists in South Carolina take home a median of $138,400 annually — roughly $66.54 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $172,250.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $106,510 while the top 10% make $228,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $110,600 and $172,350 a year.
Physicist salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,510 | $51.21 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $110,600 | $53.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $138,400 | $66.54 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $172,350 | $82.86 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $228,440 | $109.83 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 29th 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 $178,110Maryland $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 $139,330Illinois $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 South Carolina
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 South Carolina pay ($138,400) 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 South Carolina?
The median Physicist salary in South Carolina is $138,400 per year, or about $66.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $106,510 at the entry level to $228,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Physicists about 20% less than the national median of $172,250. South Carolina ranks 29th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Physicists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $138,400 a year. About 420 Physicists are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.