Physicists Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $134,260 -19.3% vs national
Median hourly $64.55
10th percentile $52,480
90th percentile $231,320
Employed locally 100
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

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Physicists
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,480
    25th
    $66,470
    50th (median)
    $134,260
    75th
    $177,480
    90th
    $231,320

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 168% Median Physicists salary is 68% 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
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Ohio $135,550
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $134,030
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $114,900

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Chemists $96,700
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $90,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $79,250
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $81,720
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $82,800
    Biological Technicians $51,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Columbus, OH is $64.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $130.69 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Columbus, OH is 19.3% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $52,480 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,470.