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Physicists Salary in Washington
Physicists in Washington earn a median $134,790 a year, 22% below the U.S. median.
- Median in WA
- $134,790 a year
- U.S. median
- $172,250 a year
- Employment
- 450
- Location quotient
- 0.96
- Share of jobs vs. U.S. (1.00 = same)
Pay range in Washington
- Median (50%)
- $134,790 · $64.81 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $149,060 · $71.66 an hour (estimate error ±2.6%)
- 10th percentile
- $77,860 · $37.43 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $110,940 · $53.34 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $174,630 · $83.96 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $238,430 · $114.63 an hour
- Employment
- 450 (estimate error ±7.3%)
- Jobs per 1,000
- 0.13
- Location quotient
- 0.96 (1.00 = national share)
Physicists pay by metro area in Washington
Includes metro areas that cross into this state and nonmetropolitan areas
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $172,080 | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $140,370 | 150 |
H-1B filings for physicists in Washington
FY 2026 through Q3, by work location
9 certified filings with a median offered wage of $102,565.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much do physicists make in Washington?
- The median wage for physicists in Washington is $134,790 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). There are about 450 jobs in the state.
- Where in Washington do physicists earn the most?
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA has the highest median wage in the state for this occupation at $172,080 a year.