Physicist Salary in Utah (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Utah Median
$156,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$75.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#22 of 43
30 employed here

How much does a Physicist make in Utah?

A Physicist working in Utah earns a median salary of $156,760 per year, or about $75.37 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $172,250 for this occupation.

Within Utah, entry-level pay starts around $64,090 while the top 10% make $258,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $119,860 and $229,490 a year.

Physicist salary range in Utah

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,090$30.81
25th percentile (early career)$119,860$57.63
50th percentile (median)$156,760$75.37
75th percentile (experienced)$229,490$110.33
90th percentile (top earners)$258,690$124.37

How Utah compares

Utah ranks 22nd 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 Utah

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 Utah pay ($156,760) 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 Utah?
The median Physicist salary in Utah is $156,760 per year, or about $75.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,090 at the entry level to $258,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Utah pay compare to the national average?
Utah pays Physicists about 9% less than the national median of $172,250. Utah ranks 22nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Utah a good state for Physicists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $156,760 a year. About 30 Physicists are employed in Utah. 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 Utah?
The highest-paying occupations in Utah include Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($437,170), Radiologist ($417,250), General Internal Medicine Physician ($331,720), 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.