How much does a physicist make in Washington?
$134,800a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in Washington. That is $64.80 an hour or $11,230 a month.
- Hourly
- $64.80
- Vs. national median
- -22%
- Rank among states
- 33 of 43
- Jobs in the state
- 450
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $77,860Median: $134,800Highest 10%: $238,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $77,860 | $37.43 | |
| 25th | $110,900 | $53.34 | |
| Median | $134,800 | $64.80 | |
| 75th | $174,600 | $83.96 | |
| 90th | $238,400 | $114.63 |
Cities in Washington
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Portland, OR | $172,100 |
| Seattle, WA | $140,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for physicists.
| 30. Illinois | $137,100 |
| 31. Arkansas | $135,800 |
| 32. Idaho | $135,200 |
| 33. Washington | $134,800 |
| 34. Arizona | $130,500 |
| 35. Mississippi | $130,000 |
| 36. Hawaii | $117,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in Washington is $64.80 ($134,800 a year).
Do physicists make more in Washington than the national average?
No: $134,800 against $172,300 nationally, 22% less.
Where does Washington rank for physicist pay?
Washington ranks 33 of 43 states.
Which city in Washington pays physicists the most?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, with a median of $172,100 a year.
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.