Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The level of education also makes a difference. Those who have a doctoral degree (PhD) earn the highest wages, followed by those who have a master's degree. Physicists who have only a bachelor's degree have the lowest wages.
Most physicists can expect benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
Physicists (SOC 19-2012)
Location |
Pay Period | |
||
25% |
Median |
75% |
||
Illinois | Hourly | $54.45 | $69.21 | $85.63 |
Yearly | $113,245 | $143,951 | $178,101 | |
Champaign Area | Hourly | $34.28 | $41.85 | $67.12 |
Yearly | $71,295 | $87,048 | $139,614 | |
Cook County | Hourly | $54.45 | $69.50 | $85.76 |
Yearly | $113,246 | $144,572 | $178,379 | |
Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $54.53 | $69.02 | $85.40 |
Yearly | $113,424 | $143,568 | $177,629 | |
Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $47.85 | $52.44 | $75.38 |
Yearly | $99,539 | $109,077 | $156,790 | |
Rockford Area | Hourly | $64.27 | $79.31 | $110.89 |
Yearly | $133,687 | $164,948 | $230,661 | |
Springfield Area | Hourly | $70.43 | $70.58 | $75.95 |
Yearly | $146,488 | $146,812 | $157,970 | |
Will County | Hourly | $54.45 | $69.50 | $85.75 |
Yearly | $113,240 | $144,568 | $178,373 | |
United States | Hourly | $51.95 | $68.68 | $84.75 |
Yearly | $108,050 | $142,850 | $176,280 |