Physicist Salary in Pennsylvania
Based on 230+ workers in Pennsylvania
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (PA)
$210,990
$101.44/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
+37.2% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$88K – $262K
230 employed in Pennsylvania
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Pennsylvania
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $88,300 |
| 25th percentile | $150,950 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $210,990 |
| 75th percentile | $231,190 |
| 90th percentile | $261,820 |
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Pennsylvania) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $213,680 |
| 2023 | $165,600 |
| 2024 | $208,470 |
| 2025 | $210,990 |
| 2026 (projected) | $213,540 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Pennsylvania Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $213,680 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $165,600 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $208,470 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $210,990 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $213,540 | $155,622 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $150,950 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $210,990 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $231,190 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $261,820 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Pennsylvania
How other high-demand occupations in Pennsylvania compare to Physicist ($210,990 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in PA | $134,090 | -36.4% | $64.47/hr |
| Medical Scientist in PA | $99,190 | -53.0% | $47.69/hr |
| Psychologist in PA | $91,870 | -56.5% | $44.17/hr |
| Geoscientist in PA | $84,180 | -60.1% | $40.47/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in PA | $80,810 | -61.7% | $38.85/hr |
| Chemist in PA | $77,090 | -63.5% | $37.06/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in PA | $76,110 | -63.9% | $36.59/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in PA | $213,310 | +1.1% | $102.55/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in PA | $221,530 | +5.0% | $106.50/hr |
| Pediatrician in PA | $226,440 | +7.3% | $108.87/hr |
| Chief Executive Officer in PA | $232,560 | +10.2% | $111.81/hr |
| Airline Pilot in PA | $164,990 | -21.8% | $79.32/hr |