Physical Scientists, All Other Salary
The median pay for a physical scientists, all other in Baton Rouge, LA is $78,300/year ($37.65/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.78), which stretches that salary to about $86,252 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,204/month, or 23.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $78K get you in Baton Rouge?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Baton Rouge’s Regional Price Parity (90.78). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About physical scientists, all others
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What this looks like in Baton Rouge
Pay for physical scientists, all other in Baton Rouge runs about 36% below the U.S. median of $123K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,204/month, 23.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Baton Rouge can be a reasonable trade-off for physical scientists, all others who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for physical scientists, all others in metros near Baton Rouge, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | $125K | $135K |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $134K | $130K |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $91K | $93K |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $93K | $95K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baton Rouge, LA
Entry-level physical scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $136K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Scientists, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Physical Scientists, All Other salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $157K | +28% | 790 |
| Minnesota | $148K | +21% | 540 |
| North Dakota | $148K | +20% | 70 |
| Maryland | $141K | +15% | 1,810 |
| South Carolina | $141K | +15% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $138K | +13% | 350 |
| Georgia | $138K | +12% | 1,020 |
| Alabama | $135K | +10% | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $135K | +10% | 460 |
| Colorado | $134K | +10% | 710 |
| Washington | $134K | +9% | 450 |
| Florida | $132K | +7% | 340 |
| California | $131K | +7% | 2,320 |
| Tennessee | $130K | +6% | 120 |
| Arizona | $125K | +2% | 170 |
| New Mexico | $124K | +1% | 240 |
| Alaska | $120K | -2% | 140 |
| Michigan | $119K | -3% | 130 |
| New York | $118K | -4% | 1,510 |
| Utah | $116K | -5% | 250 |
| Hawaii | $113K | -8% | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $112K | -8% | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $112K | -8% | 80 |
| North Carolina | $110K | -10% | 650 |
| New Jersey | $110K | -10% | 590 |
| Oregon | $110K | -11% | 290 |
| Illinois | $109K | -11% | 580 |
| Mississippi | $109K | -11% | 380 |
| Ohio | $109K | -11% | 430 |
| Nebraska | $101K | -17% | 40 |
| Texas | $101K | -18% | 2,310 |
| Connecticut | $100K | -18% | 370 |
| Wisconsin | $97K | -20% | 70 |
| Montana | $95K | -23% | 100 |
| Louisiana | $94K | -23% | 280 |
| Kentucky | $81K | -34% | 260 |
| Iowa | $81K | -34% | 100 |
| Wyoming | $69K | -44% | 60 |
| Indiana | $69K | -44% | 1,240 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physical scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baton Rouge numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a physical scientists, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Baton Rouge?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 23.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,204/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for physical scientists, all others in Baton Rouge?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physical scientists, all others typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,793/month. At HUD’s $1,204/month FMR, rent would take 32% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is physical scientists, all other a high-paying job in Baton Rouge?
Local pay runs 36% below the national median — $78K here vs. $123K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Baton Rouge compare to the national average for physical scientists, all others?
Baton Rouge pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s -36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $86K — below the national median.
How much do physical scientists, all others make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median is $78,300 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,220, and experienced physical scientists, all others can clear $135,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Baton Rouge?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,060/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,204/month, which eats 23.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physical scientists, all other salary go in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity of 90.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical scientists, all other salary is worth about $86,252 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical scientists, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.