Physicist Salary in Wisconsin
Based on 180+ workers in Wisconsin
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WI)
$173,120
$83.23/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
+12.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$89K – $292K
180 employed in Wisconsin
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Wisconsin
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $89,310 |
| 25th percentile | $120,440 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $173,120 |
| 75th percentile | $237,320 |
| 90th percentile | $291,910 |
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Wisconsin) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $165,660 |
| 2023 | $156,190 |
| 2024 | $174,010 |
| 2025 | $173,120 |
| 2026 (projected) | $173,120 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Wisconsin Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $165,660 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $156,190 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $174,010 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $173,120 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $173,120 | $153,763 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $120,440 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $173,120 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $237,320 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $291,910 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Wisconsin
How other high-demand occupations in Wisconsin compare to Physicist ($173,120 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist in WI | $113,360 | -34.5% | $54.50/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in WI | $106,480 | -38.5% | $51.19/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in WI | $84,290 | -51.3% | $40.52/hr |
| Medical Scientist in WI | $82,530 | -52.3% | $39.68/hr |
| Chemist in WI | $78,730 | -54.5% | $37.85/hr |
| Geoscientist in WI | $78,610 | -54.6% | $37.79/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in WI | $72,820 | -57.9% | $35.01/hr |
| Podiatrist in WI | $185,100 | +6.9% | $88.99/hr |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in WI | $160,140 | -7.5% | $76.99/hr |
| Dentist in WI | $193,690 | +11.9% | $93.12/hr |
| Pharmacist in WI | $148,740 | -14.1% | $71.51/hr |
| Engineering Manager in WI | $142,060 | -17.9% | $68.30/hr |