Physicist salary in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Physicists in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area earn a median of $272,480 a year ($131.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $190,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $312,400 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 21% higher than the Florida statewide median of $225,390. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $245,010, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $190,690 | $91.68 |
| 25th percentile | $190,690 | $91.68 |
| Median | $272,480 | $131.00 |
| 75th percentile | $285,400 | $137.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $312,400 | $150.19 |
| Average (mean) | $245,010 | $117.79 |
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 | $22,706.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $11,353.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $10,480 |
| Weekly | $5,240 |
| Hourly | $131.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $272,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $266,260 | 70 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $146,350 | 30 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,920 | $33.14 |
| Chemist | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $122,700 | $58.99 |
| Hydrologist | $80,400 | $38.66 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,940 | $62.95 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,060 | $44.74 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $88,870 | $42.73 |
| Biological Technician | $52,570 | $25.27 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $97,160 | $46.71 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,510 | $46.88 |
| School Psychologist | $100,750 | $48.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
The median salary for physicists in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area is $272,480 a year, or $131.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $190,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $312,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
The top 10% of physicists in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area earn at least $312,400 a year. The top 25% earn $285,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $190,690 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $190,690 or less.
How many physicists work in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
About 100 physicists are employed in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.