Physicist Salary in Utah
Based on 30+ workers in Utah
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (UT)
$156,760
$75.37/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
+1.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$64K – $259K
30 employed in Utah
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Utah
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,090 |
| 25th percentile | $119,860 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $156,760 |
| 75th percentile | $229,490 |
| 90th percentile | $258,690 |
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 Utah 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 Utah vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Utah) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $110,160 |
| 2023 | $127,640 |
| 2024 | $133,900 |
| 2025 | $156,760 |
| 2026 (projected) | $166,166 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Utah Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $110,160 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $127,640 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $133,900 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $156,760 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $166,166 | $162,989 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Utah
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $119,860 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $156,760 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $229,490 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $258,690 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Utah
How other high-demand occupations in Utah compare to Physicist ($156,760 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist in UT | $99,170 | -36.7% | $47.68/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in UT | $90,710 | -42.1% | $43.61/hr |
| Geoscientist in UT | $89,990 | -42.6% | $43.26/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in UT | $84,360 | -46.2% | $40.56/hr |
| Medical Scientist in UT | $82,940 | -47.1% | $39.88/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in UT | $81,990 | -47.7% | $39.42/hr |
| Chemist in UT | $80,770 | -48.5% | $38.83/hr |
| Engineering Manager in UT | $161,120 | +2.8% | $77.46/hr |
| Financial Manager in UT | $150,450 | -4.0% | $72.33/hr |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in UT | $163,610 | +4.4% | $78.66/hr |
| Pharmacist in UT | $144,240 | -8.0% | $69.35/hr |
| Chief Executive Officer in UT | $171,880 | +9.6% | $82.63/hr |