Virginia Median
$145,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$69.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#25 of 43
940 employed here
How much does a Physicist make in Virginia?
Physicists in Virginia take home a median of $145,040 annually — roughly $69.73 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $172,250.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $97,720 while the top 10% make $238,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $112,570 and $195,190 a year.
Physicist salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,720 | $46.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $112,570 | $54.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $145,040 | $69.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $238,570 | $114.70 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 25th 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 $154,030Georgia $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($145,040) 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 Virginia?
The median Physicist salary in Virginia is $145,040 per year, or about $69.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $97,720 at the entry level to $238,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Physicists about 16% less than the national median of $172,250. Virginia ranks 25th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Physicists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $145,040 a year. About 940 Physicists are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.