Physicists Salary in Atlanta, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Median annual salary $131,560 -20.9% vs national
Median hourly $63.25
10th percentile $77,740
90th percentile —
Employed locally 140
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Atlanta, GA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Physicists
in
Atlanta, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,740
    25th
    $100,860
    50th (median)
    $131,560
    75th
    $221,230

    Atlanta economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,338 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 152% Median Physicists salary is 52% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physicists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $266,260
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $226,750
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340

    Nearby metros — Physicists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $175,220
    Michigan $107,640

    Related occupations in Atlanta, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $81,030
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $93,980
    Biological Scientists, All Other $91,890
    Social Science Research Assistants $63,790
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $82,010
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $58,630

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Atlanta?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Atlanta, GA is $63.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $125.27 or more per hour.

    Is Atlanta above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Atlanta, GA is 20.9% below the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physicists in Atlanta?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $77,740 per year in Atlanta, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $100,860.