Physicist salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Physicists in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median of $144,870 a year ($69.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $260,560 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Georgia statewide median of $144,870. There are 0.03 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $178,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,860 | $38.39 |
| 25th percentile | $106,860 | $51.38 |
| Median | $144,870 | $69.65 |
| 75th percentile | $222,500 | $106.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $260,560 | $125.27 |
| Average (mean) | $178,430 | $85.78 |
Half of physicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,036.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,571.92 |
| Weekly | $2,785.96 |
| Hourly | $69.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $144,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $137,680 | $66.19 |
| Chemist | $97,930 | $47.08 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $70,180 | $33.74 |
| Materials Scientist | $93,240 | $44.83 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,620 | $44.05 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $87,180 | $41.91 |
| School Psychologist | $99,110 | $47.65 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,490 | $42.06 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $67,440 | $32.42 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,160 | $46.71 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $97,090 | $46.68 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median salary for physicists in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $144,870 a year, or $69.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $260,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn at least $260,560 a year. The top 25% earn $222,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,860 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $106,860 or less.
How many physicists work in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
About 100 physicists are employed in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.