Physicists Salary in Washington
The median pay for a physicists in Washington is $120,080/year ($57.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $224K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $120K get you in Washington?
About physicists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level physicists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $120K. Top earners bring in $224K or more, a $157K spread from bottom to top.
Physicists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $113K | -6% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track physicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in Washington?
The median is $120,080 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,240, and experienced physicists can clear $224,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $120K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,736/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 23.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicists salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physicists salary is worth about $117,714 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.