How much does a physicist make in Seattle?
$140,400a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $67.49 an hour or $11,700 a month.
- Hourly
- $67.49
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 40 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $75,520Median: $140,400Highest 10%: $218,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $75,520 | $36.31 | |
| 25th | $101,900 | $48.99 | |
| Median | $140,400 | $67.49 | |
| 75th | $173,800 | $83.58 | |
| 90th | $218,400 | $105.00 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| Portland, OR | $172,100 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Political Scientist | $154,000 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $134,700 |
| Economist | $126,400 |
| Psychologist | $124,100 |
| Epidemiologist | $124,000 |
| School Psychologist | $115,600 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $109,500 |
| Biological Scientist | $108,600 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $108,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $67.49 ($140,400 a year).
Do physicists make more in Seattle than the national average?
No: $140,400 against $172,300 nationally, 19% less.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $134,800, so Seattle pays 4% more.
Where does Seattle rank for physicist pay?
40 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $75,520 or less a year; the top 10% make $218,400 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.