Physicist Salary in Virginia
Based on 940+ workers in Virginia
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$145,040
$69.73/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
-5.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$98K – $239K
940 employed in Virginia
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $97,720 |
| 25th percentile | $112,570 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $145,040 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 |
| 90th percentile | $238,570 |
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 Virginia 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 Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $115,090 |
| 2023 | $128,880 |
| 2024 | $164,180 |
| 2025 | $145,040 |
| 2026 (projected) | $145,040 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $115,090 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $128,880 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $164,180 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $145,040 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $145,040 | $153,763 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $112,570 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $145,040 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $195,190 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $238,570 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Physicist ($145,040 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in VA | $105,780 | -27.1% | $50.86/hr |
| Chemist in VA | $96,650 | -33.4% | $46.47/hr |
| Medical Scientist in VA | $93,620 | -35.5% | $45.01/hr |
| Geoscientist in VA | $88,390 | -39.1% | $42.50/hr |
| Psychologist in VA | $86,520 | -40.3% | $41.60/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in VA | $86,030 | -40.7% | $41.36/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in VA | $82,230 | -43.3% | $39.53/hr |
| Pharmacist in VA | $144,060 | -0.7% | $69.26/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in VA | $143,210 | -1.3% | $68.85/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in VA | $141,340 | -2.6% | $67.95/hr |
| Software Engineer in VA | $139,030 | -4.1% | $66.84/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in VA | $139,030 | -4.1% | $66.84/hr |