Physicists pay range in Phoenix
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $110,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $256,600 or more. The middle half of physicists in Phoenix earn between $111,450 and $201,880.
- $110K10th
- $111K25th
- $130KMedian
- $202K75th
- $257K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $162,950 | $13,579 | $78.34 |
| Median | $130,500 | $10,875 | $62.74 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $111,450 | $9,288 | $53.58 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $201,880 | $16,823 | $97.06 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicists pay in Phoenix vs. Arizona and the U.S.
Physicists in Phoenix earn about the same as the Arizona average ($159,730) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($171,180). At the median the gap is -24% against the U.S. median of $172,250.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $162,950 | $130,500 | $110,430 | $256,600 | 80 |
| Arizona | $159,730 | $130,500 | $102,160 | $242,730 | 120 |
| United States | $171,180 | $172,250 | $82,110 | $274,110 | 20,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physicists salary after taxes in Phoenix
On the average salary of $162,950, a single filer in Phoenix takes home about $118,962 a year, or $9,914 a month and $4,575 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Phoenix a good place for physicists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Phoenix area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.3), so the average $162,950 buys what about $157,720 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Phoenix ($51,380). A typical home costs $448,352, or 2.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicists salary in other Arizona cities
Phoenix ranks 1st of 2 Arizona metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Phoenix$162,950
- Tucson$149,540
Highest-paying cities for physicists
Miami, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($245,010).
- Miami, FL$245,010
- Tampa, FL$244,380
- Pittsburgh, PA$211,220
- Portland, OR$210,060
- Cleveland, OH$209,480
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Physicists salary in Phoenix: questions
How much do physicists make an hour in Phoenix?
$78.34 an hour on average, and $62.74 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Phoenix?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $110,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $111,450, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicists take-home pay in Phoenix?
About $118,962 a year ($9,914 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $162,950.
Do physicists earn more in Phoenix than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($171,180).
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 19-2012; area Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ (38060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.8%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.25, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.25).
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