Physicists Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a physicists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $112,790/year ($54.23/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $226K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $101,494 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 33.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $113K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). 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 physicists
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level physicists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $113K. Top earners bring in $226K or more, a $159K spread from bottom to top.
Physicists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $223K | +34% | 60 |
| Florida | $209K | +26% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $208K | +25% | 540 |
| Arizona | $191K | +15% | 70 |
| Oregon | $184K | +11% | 120 |
| California | $181K | +9% | 6,220 |
| Missouri | $180K | +9% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $179K | +8% | 30 |
| New Mexico | $176K | +6% | 770 |
| New York | $174K | +5% | 1,190 |
| Wisconsin | $174K | +5% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $174K | +4% | 260 |
| Connecticut | $172K | +3% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $171K | +3% | 170 |
| Texas | $170K | +3% | 700 |
| Kentucky | $169K | +1% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $169K | +1% | 320 |
| Virginia | $164K | -1% | 1,260 |
| Maryland | $164K | -1% | 1,420 |
| Massachusetts | $154K | -7% | 570 |
| District of Columbia | $153K | -8% | 570 |
| Ohio | $136K | -18% | 710 |
| Utah | $134K | -19% | 60 |
| Idaho | $132K | -21% | 170 |
| Arkansas | $132K | -21% | 80 |
| Georgia | $132K | -21% | 190 |
| Illinois | $131K | -21% | 1,660 |
| South Carolina | $131K | -21% | 370 |
| Iowa | $121K | -27% | 120 |
| Mississippi | $121K | -27% | 70 |
| Washington | $120K | -28% | 430 |
| Nevada | $116K | -30% | N/A |
| Alabama | $115K | -31% | 360 |
| Maine | $115K | -31% | N/A |
| Indiana | $110K | -34% | 160 |
| Michigan | $108K | -35% | 550 |
| Oklahoma | $85K | -49% | 40 |
| Delaware | $83K | -50% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $78K | -53% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $112,790 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,240, and experienced physicists can clear $226,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $113K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,311/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 34.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a physicists salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physicists salary is worth about $101,494 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicists 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.