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 | $55.92 | $70.78 | $87.57 |
| Yearly | $116,311 | $147,222 | $182,150 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $55.98 | $79.15 | $93.49 |
| Yearly | $116,446 | $164,629 | $194,464 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $56.07 | $79.26 | $82.51 |
| Yearly | $116,618 | $164,872 | $171,626 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $42.50 | $55.43 | $82.15 |
| Yearly | $88,403 | $115,294 | $170,870 | |
| United States | Hourly | $54.14 | $74.85 | $89.58 |
| Yearly | $112,610 | $155,680 | $186,330 | |