Physicists Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $175,220 +5.4% vs national
Median hourly $84.24
10th percentile $78,010
90th percentile —
Employed locally 30
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

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Physicists
in
Buffalo, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,010
    25th
    $102,430
    50th (median)
    $175,220

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 248% Median Physicists salary is 148% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $214,520
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $177,490
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $166,400

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians$60,620
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$59,370
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$87,350
    Chemists$74,770
    School Psychologists$79,730
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$97,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Buffalo, NY is $84.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $138.22 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Buffalo, NY is 5.4% above 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 Buffalo?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $78,010 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,430.