Physicist Salary in Utah: $171,000 Average

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Average base salary, Utah

$171,000 / year

≈ $14,250 per month · $82.21 per hour

LocationOr metro area

BLS May 2025 state data for Utah · median $162,000

25th percentile
$124,000Average
$171,00075th percentile
$237,500

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Physicist salary by state

Alabama$152,500

Arizona$165,500

Arkansas$152,000

California$209,000

Colorado$133,500

Connecticut$207,500

Delaware$138,500

District of Columbia$162,000

Florida$227,500

Georgia$185,500

Hawaii$184,000

Idaho$154,000

Illinois$144,500

Indiana$136,500

Iowa$182,500

Kentucky$185,500

Louisiana$158,000

Maryland$172,500

Massachusetts$135,000

Michigan$140,000

Minnesota$208,500

Mississippi$142,500

Missouri$161,500

Montana$130,000

Nevada$157,000

New Hampshire$216,500

New Jersey$181,000

New Mexico$183,000

New York$189,000

North Carolina$158,500

Ohio$178,500

Oklahoma$168,000

Oregon$214,500

Pennsylvania$198,000

Rhode Island$175,000

South Carolina$165,000

South Dakota$112,000

Tennessee$177,000

Texas$182,500

Utah$171,000

Virginia$165,000

Washington$154,500

Wisconsin$187,500

About this role

Physicist is a professional role in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Physicists do

Typical education: Doctoral Degree

Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
Write research proposals to receive funding.

Top skills: Science Reading Comprehension Mathematics Speaking Critical Thinking Writing

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Physicist salary by industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

9,920 workers

$185,000

Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS

3,280 workers

$147,000

Educational Services

3,160 workers

$121,000

Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation)

2,910 workers

$153,000

Health Care and Social Assistance

2,750 workers

$247,500

State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

2,290 workers

$114,500

Sectors 31, 32, and 33 – Manufacturing

800 workers

$167,500

Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

140 workers

$202,000

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Physicist pays 77% above the average across 48 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,000).

Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$176,000

Political Scientist$147,500

Economist$147,000

Astronomer$137,500

Biochemists and Biophysicists$134,500

Physical Scientists, All Other$133,500

Materials Scientist$130,500

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$121,000

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$120,500

Sociologist$119,000

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physicist make?

The average base salary for a Physicist in the United States is $177,000 per year, or about $85.10 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $115,500 and $230,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?

The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,000 across 48 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.

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