Physical Scientists, All Other pay range in Philadelphia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,470 a year or less, while the top 10% make $280,570 or more. The middle half of other physical scientists in Philadelphia earn between $104,150 and $176,540.
- $81K10th
- $104K25th
- $137KMedian
- $177K75th
- $281K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $150,640 | $12,553 | $72.42 |
| Median | $137,220 | $11,435 | $65.97 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $104,150 | $8,679 | $50.07 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $176,540 | $14,712 | $84.88 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physical Scientists, All Other pay in Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Other physical scientists in Philadelphia earn 6% more than the Pennsylvania average ($142,660) and 17% more than the U.S. average ($129,230). At the median the gap is +12% against the U.S. median of $122,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $150,640 | $137,220 | $81,470 | $280,570 | 310 |
| Pennsylvania | $142,660 | $134,780 | $76,440 | $195,190 | 460 |
| United States | $129,230 | $122,570 | $67,000 | $195,190 | 22,300 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in Philadelphia
On the average salary of $150,640, a single filer in Philadelphia takes home about $109,604 a year, or $9,134 a month and $4,216 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in PA | $109,604 | $9,134 |
| Working in MD | $107,111 | $8,926 |
| Working in NJ | $106,823 | $8,902 |
| Working in DE | $105,517 | $8,793 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Philadelphia a good place for other physical scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Philadelphia area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.6), so the average $150,640 buys what about $146,888 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Philadelphia ($54,310). A typical home costs $390,463, or 2.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia ranks 1st of 2 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Philadelphia$150,640
- Pittsburgh$134,390
Highest-paying cities for other physical scientists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($177,370).
- San Jose, CA$177,370
- Minneapolis, MN$172,740
- Washington, DC$166,920
- Palm Bay, FL$158,750
- Huntsville, AL$154,990
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Physical Scientists, All Other salary in Philadelphia: questions
How much do other physical scientists make an hour in Philadelphia?
$72.42 an hour on average, and $65.97 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level other physical scientists salary in Philadelphia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,470 a year and the 25th percentile is $104,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the other physical scientists take-home pay in Philadelphia?
About $109,604 a year ($9,134 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $150,640. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do other physical scientists earn more in Philadelphia than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% more than the U.S. average for this job ($129,230).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2099; area Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (37980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.74, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.74).
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