Physics salary by state and agency

How median pay for full-time federal employees in the Physics series (series 1310) differs by where they work and who employs them. Nationally the median is $186,963. Full physics salary profile →

Highest state median

$187,093

Maryland

Lowest state median

$168,054

Virginia

Agency spread

$34,096

highest vs. lowest agency median

National median

$186,963

578 full-time employees

State differences come largely from locality pay, which raises federal salaries in high-cost labor markets, and from differences in the grade mix of the jobs located there. Agency differences often reflect different pay plans and grade structures. Only states and agencies with at least 30 full-time employees with published pay are listed.

By state, highest to lowest median

Physics median pay by state
State	Employees	Median pay	Middle 50%
Maryland	340	$187,093	$162,673–$197,200
Colorado	152	$182,316	$151,441–$197,200
Virginia	30	$168,054	$137,726–$188,934

middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) 10th–90th percentile median all-federal median ($109,641)

By agency, highest to lowest median

Physics median pay by agency
Agency	Employees	Median pay	Middle 50%
Department of Energy	31	$197,200	$186,207–$197,200
Department of Health and Human Services	106	$197,152	$159,842–$206,649
Department of Commerce	359	$187,093	$150,054–$197,200
National Aeronautics and Space Administration	68	$163,104	$130,154–$185,180

middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) 10th–90th percentile median all-federal median ($109,641)