Physicist Salary in North Carolina
Based on 150+ workers in North Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$174,180
$83.74/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
+13.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$64K – $257K
150 employed in North Carolina
Salary Distribution — Physicist in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,050 |
| 25th percentile | $81,370 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $174,180 |
| 75th percentile | $209,210 |
| 90th percentile | $256,860 |
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $170,550 |
| 2023 | $164,950 |
| 2024 | $170,690 |
| 2025 | $174,180 |
| 2026 (projected) | $177,741 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $170,550 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $164,950 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $170,690 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $174,180 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $177,741 | $156,907 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $81,370 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $174,180 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $209,210 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $256,860 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Physicist ($174,180 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientist in NC | $102,980 | -40.9% | $49.51/hr |
| Geoscientist in NC | $95,260 | -45.3% | $45.80/hr |
| Psychologist in NC | $92,130 | -47.1% | $44.29/hr |
| Chemist in NC | $82,620 | -52.6% | $39.72/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in NC | $82,220 | -52.8% | $39.53/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in NC | $81,230 | -53.4% | $39.05/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in NC | $74,130 | -57.4% | $35.64/hr |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in NC | $172,860 | -0.8% | $83.11/hr |
| Psychiatrist in NC | $168,880 | -3.0% | $81.19/hr |
| Engineering Manager in NC | $167,840 | -3.6% | $80.69/hr |
| Financial Manager in NC | $166,780 | -4.2% | $80.18/hr |
| Marketing Manager in NC | $165,480 | -5.0% | $79.56/hr |