Physicist Salary in Washington
Based on 450+ workers in Washington
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$134,790
$64.80/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
-12.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$78K – $238K
450 employed in Washington
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,860 |
| 25th percentile | $110,940 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $134,790 |
| 75th percentile | $174,630 |
| 90th percentile | $238,430 |
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 Washington 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 Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $108,060 |
| 2023 | $106,300 |
| 2024 | $120,080 |
| 2025 | $134,790 |
| 2026 (projected) | $142,877 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $108,060 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $106,300 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $120,080 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $134,790 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $142,877 | $162,989 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $110,940 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $134,790 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $174,630 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $238,430 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Physicist ($134,790 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist in WA | $115,240 | -14.5% | $55.40/hr |
| Medical Scientist in WA | $105,680 | -21.6% | $50.81/hr |
| Geoscientist in WA | $105,020 | -22.1% | $50.49/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in WA | $100,990 | -25.1% | $48.55/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in WA | $98,840 | -26.7% | $47.52/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in WA | $98,300 | -27.1% | $47.26/hr |
| Chemist in WA | $97,420 | -27.7% | $46.84/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in WA | $134,800 | +0.0% | $64.81/hr |
| Actuary in WA | $134,720 | -0.1% | $64.77/hr |
| General and Operations Manager in WA | $133,750 | -0.8% | $64.30/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in WA | $133,480 | -1.0% | $64.17/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in WA | $132,710 | -1.5% | $63.80/hr |