Physicist salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Physicists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $199,770 a year ($96.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,950 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 9% higher than the Texas statewide median of $184,040. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $196,520, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| 25th percentile | $108,850 | $52.33 |
| Median | $199,770 | $96.05 |
| 75th percentile | $271,450 | $130.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,950 | $139.40 |
| Average (mean) | $196,520 | $94.48 |
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 | $16,647.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,323.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,683.46 |
| Weekly | $3,841.73 |
| Hourly | $96.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $199,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $194,290 | 100 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $156,750 | 80 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $107,340 | 120 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $106,740 | $51.32 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $174,490 | $83.89 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,170 | $45.75 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $88,570 | $42.58 |
| Materials Scientist | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Hydrologist | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $65,050 | $31.28 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| Biological Technician | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| School Psychologist | $84,850 | $40.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for physicists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $199,770 a year, or $96.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of physicists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $289,950 a year. The top 25% earn $271,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,270 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $108,850 or less.
How many physicists work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 140 physicists are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.