How much does a physicist make in Boulder?
$104,600a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Boulder, CO metro area. That is $50.28 an hour or $8,715 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.28
- Vs. national median
- -39%
- Rank among cities
- 57 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 860
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $82,340Median: $104,600Highest 10%: $195,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,340 | $39.59 | |
| 25th | $82,340 | $39.59 | |
| Median | $104,600 | $50.28 | |
| 75th | $168,200 | $80.88 | |
| 90th | $195,200 | $93.84 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| Denver, CO | $166,100 |
Related jobs in Boulder
Same field, median yearly pay.
| School Psychologist | $143,000 |
| Physical Scientist | $141,300 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $140,700 |
| Medical Scientist | $130,300 |
| Materials Scientist | $126,900 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $121,900 |
| Geoscientist | $107,900 |
| Chemist | $105,600 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $103,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Boulder?
The median hourly pay in the Boulder, CO metro area is $50.28 ($104,600 a year).
Do physicists make more in Boulder than the national average?
No: $104,600 against $172,300 nationally, 39% less.
How does Boulder compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $104,600, so Boulder pays 0% more.
Where does Boulder rank for physicist pay?
57 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Boulder?
The lowest-paid 10% make $82,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $195,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.