Physicists pay range in Richmond
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $116,850 a year or less, while the top 10% make $266,770 or more. The middle half of physicists in Richmond earn between $164,480 and $246,960.
- $117K10th
- $164K25th
- $218KMedian
- $247K75th
- $267K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $202,250 | $16,854 | $97.24 |
| Median | $218,290 | $18,191 | $104.95 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $164,480 | $13,707 | $79.08 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $246,960 | $20,580 | $118.73 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicists pay in Richmond vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Physicists in Richmond earn 27% more than the Virginia average ($159,320) and 18% more than the U.S. average ($171,180). At the median the gap is +27% against the U.S. median of $172,250.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $202,250 | $218,290 | $116,850 | $266,770 | 40 |
| Virginia | $159,320 | $145,040 | $97,720 | $238,570 | 940 |
| 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 Richmond
On the average salary of $202,250, a single filer in Richmond takes home about $139,769 a year, or $11,647 a month and $5,376 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Richmond a good place for physicists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Richmond area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.9), so the average $202,250 buys what about $206,677 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 4.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Richmond ($51,460). A typical home costs $397,705, or 2.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicists salary in other Virginia cities
Richmond ranks 1st of 3 Virginia metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Richmond$202,250
- Charlottesville$160,270
- Virginia Beach$124,960
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Physicists salary in Richmond: questions
How much do physicists make an hour in Richmond?
$97.24 an hour on average, and $104.95 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $116,850 a year and the 25th percentile is $164,480, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicists take-home pay in Richmond?
About $139,769 a year ($11,647 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $202,250.
Do physicists earn more in Richmond than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% more 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 Richmond, VA (40060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.6%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.45, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.45).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.