Physicists Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $212,050 +27.5% vs national
Median hourly $101.95
10th percentile $71,650
90th percentile —
Employed locally 130
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

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

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Physicists
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,650
    25th
    $98,120
    50th (median)
    $212,050

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 264% Median Physicists salary is 164% 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
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $202,610
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $170,130
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $129,380

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $76,860
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $79,680
    Chemical Technicians $74,620
    Chemists $110,300
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $49,980
    Biological Technicians $49,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Houston?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Houston, TX is $101.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $139.40 or more per hour.

    Is Houston above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Houston, TX is 27.5% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $71,650 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,120.