Physicist Salary in Missouri
Based on 90+ workers in Missouri
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (MO)
$140,460
$67.53/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
-8.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$71K – $277K
90 employed in Missouri
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Missouri
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,550 |
| 25th percentile | $96,720 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $140,460 |
| 75th percentile | $227,810 |
| 90th percentile | $276,590 |
Top-Paying Industries for Physicist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Physicists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Physicists in Missouri tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $239,360 | 3K |
| Wholesale Trade | $219,010 | — |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $213,780 | 50 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $210,530 | — |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $176,170 | 10K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Physicist in Missouri vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Missouri) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $169,920 |
| 2023 | $176,520 |
| 2024 | $180,450 |
| 2025 | $140,460 |
| 2026 (projected) | $140,460 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Missouri Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $169,920 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $176,520 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $180,450 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $140,460 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $140,460 | $153,763 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $96,720 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $140,460 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $227,810 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $276,590 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Missouri
How other high-demand occupations in Missouri compare to Physicist ($140,460 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientist in MO | $102,540 | -27.0% | $49.30/hr |
| Psychologist in MO | $99,410 | -29.2% | $47.79/hr |
| Geoscientist in MO | $83,390 | -40.6% | $40.09/hr |
| Chemist in MO | $82,800 | -41.1% | $39.81/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in MO | $80,720 | -42.5% | $38.81/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in MO | $79,550 | -43.4% | $38.25/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in MO | $61,050 | -56.5% | $29.35/hr |
| Pharmacist in MO | $137,610 | -2.0% | $66.16/hr |
| Financial Manager in MO | $143,460 | +2.1% | $68.97/hr |
| Physician Assistant in MO | $135,130 | -3.8% | $64.97/hr |
| Optometrist in MO | $133,810 | -4.7% | $64.33/hr |
| Lawyer in MO | $133,450 | -5.0% | $64.16/hr |