Physicist Salary in South Carolina
Based on 420+ workers in South Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$138,400
$66.54/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
-10.0% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$107K – $228K
420 employed in South Carolina
Salary Distribution — Physicist in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $106,510 |
| 25th percentile | $110,600 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $138,400 |
| 75th percentile | $172,350 |
| 90th percentile | $228,440 |
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 South 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 South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $189,030 |
| 2023 | $127,780 |
| 2024 | $131,100 |
| 2025 | $138,400 |
| 2026 (projected) | $146,106 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $189,030 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $127,780 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $131,100 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $138,400 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $146,106 | $162,325 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $110,600 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $138,400 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $172,350 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $228,440 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Physicist ($138,400 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in SC | $109,080 | -21.2% | $52.44/hr |
| Psychologist in SC | $92,700 | -33.0% | $44.57/hr |
| Geoscientist in SC | $86,070 | -37.8% | $41.38/hr |
| Chemist in SC | $79,670 | -42.4% | $38.30/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SC | $75,810 | -45.2% | $36.45/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in SC | $74,910 | -45.9% | $36.01/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in SC | $137,030 | -1.0% | $65.88/hr |
| Marine Engineer in SC | $136,990 | -1.0% | $65.86/hr |
| Financial Manager in SC | $136,160 | -1.6% | $65.46/hr |
| Pharmacist in SC | $135,700 | -2.0% | $65.24/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in SC | $134,990 | -2.5% | $64.90/hr |
| Marketing Manager in SC | $143,290 | +3.5% | $68.89/hr |