Physicists Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $212,950 +28.1% vs national
Median hourly $102.38
10th percentile $111,800
90th percentile —
Employed locally 50
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

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Physicists
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $111,800
    25th
    $171,050
    50th (median)
    $212,950
    75th
    $213,020

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 252% Median Physicists salary is 152% 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
    Pennsylvania $208,470
    Charlottesville, VA $170,040
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $168,280
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $155,560
    Nevada $116,080

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $78,140
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $79,100
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $76,540
    Biological Technicians $61,370
    Urban and Regional Planners $74,020
    Chemists $82,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Richmond?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Richmond, VA is $102.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $128.25 or more per hour.

    Is Richmond above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Richmond, VA is 28.1% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $111,800 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $171,050.