Physicist Salary in Rhode Island
State-level salary data from BLS OES and H-1B filings
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (RI)
$155,150
$74.59/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
+0.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$86K – $298K
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Rhode Island
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,340 |
| 25th percentile | $111,240 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $155,150 |
| 75th percentile | $187,080 |
| 90th percentile | $298,000 |
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Rhode Island) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $143,490 |
| 2023 | $144,020 |
| 2025 | $155,150 |
| 2026 (projected) | $164,459 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Rhode Island Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $143,490 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $144,020 | $142,089 |
| 2025 | $155,150 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $164,459 | $162,989 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $111,240 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $155,150 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $187,080 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $298,000 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Rhode Island
How other high-demand occupations in Rhode Island compare to Physicist ($155,150 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geoscientist in RI | $121,010 | -22.0% | $58.18/hr |
| Psychologist in RI | $107,490 | -30.7% | $51.68/hr |
| Medical Scientist in RI | $103,370 | -33.4% | $49.70/hr |
| Chemist in RI | $101,660 | -34.5% | $48.88/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in RI | $100,730 | -35.1% | $48.43/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in RI | $90,210 | -41.9% | $43.37/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in RI | $76,710 | -50.6% | $36.88/hr |
| Sales Manager in RI | $154,970 | -0.1% | $74.50/hr |
| Public Relations Manager in RI | $156,080 | +0.6% | $75.04/hr |
| Podiatrist in RI | $159,760 | +3.0% | $76.81/hr |
| Dentist in RI | $161,560 | +4.1% | $77.67/hr |
| Airline Pilot in RI | $164,880 | +6.3% | $79.27/hr |