Physicists Salary in Boston, MA-NH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Median annual salary $153,890 -7.5% vs national
Median hourly $73.99
10th percentile $92,350
90th percentile $216,690
Employed locally 500
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

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Physicists
in
Boston, MA-NH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $92,350
    25th
    $100,470
    50th (median)
    $153,890
    75th
    $193,610
    90th
    $216,690

    Boston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,484 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 137% Median Physicists salary is 37% 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
    Maryland $163,950
    Worcester, MA $153,990
    Massachusetts $153,890
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $151,860
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $129,380
    Madison, WI $129,070

    Related occupations in Boston, MA-NH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $129,230
    Biochemists and Biophysicists $127,510
    Biological Technicians $64,380
    Chemists $130,830
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,860
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $87,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Boston?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Boston, MA-NH is $73.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $102.48 or more per hour.

    Is Boston above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Boston, MA-NH is 7.5% 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 Boston?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $92,350 per year in Boston, MA-NH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $100,470.