Physicists pay range in Tucson
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $96,630 a year or less, while the top 10% make $242,730 or more. The middle half of physicists in Tucson earn between $102,620 and $171,190.
- $97K10th
- $103K25th
- $171KMedian
- $171K75th
- $243K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $149,540 | $12,462 | $71.89 |
| Median | $171,190 | $14,266 | $82.30 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $102,620 | $8,552 | $49.34 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $171,190 | $14,266 | $82.30 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicists pay in Tucson vs. Arizona and the U.S.
Physicists in Tucson earn 6% less than the Arizona average ($159,730) and 13% less than the U.S. average ($171,180). At the median the gap is -1% against the U.S. median of $172,250.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $149,540 | $171,190 | $96,630 | $242,730 | 30 |
| 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 Tucson
On the average salary of $149,540, a single filer in Tucson takes home about $110,132 a year, or $9,178 a month and $4,236 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Tucson a good place for physicists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Tucson area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.9), so the average $149,540 buys what about $154,330 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Tucson ($47,760). A typical home costs $343,580, or 2.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicists salary in other Arizona cities
Tucson ranks 2nd of 2 Arizona metro areas for this job; Phoenix pays the most ($162,950).
- 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 Tucson: questions
How much do physicists make an hour in Tucson?
$71.90 an hour on average, and $82.31 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Tucson?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $96,630 a year and the 25th percentile is $102,620, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicists take-home pay in Tucson?
About $110,132 a year ($9,178 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $149,540.
Do physicists earn more in Tucson than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% 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 Tucson, AZ (46060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.7%.
- 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 0.66, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.66).
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