Physicist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Physicists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $173,160 a year ($83.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $279,870 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $173,120. There are 0.06 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $190,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| 25th percentile | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| Median | $173,160 | $83.25 |
| 75th percentile | $246,720 | $118.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $279,870 | $134.55 |
| Average (mean) | $190,130 | $91.41 |
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 | $14,430 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,215 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,660 |
| Weekly | $3,330 |
| Hourly | $83.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $173,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $168,450 | 80 |
| Madison, WI | $136,450 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,280 | $36.68 |
| Hydrologist | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,940 | $52.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Biological Technician | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,980 | $33.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for physicists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $173,160 a year, or $83.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $279,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of physicists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $279,870 a year. The top 25% earn $246,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,110 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $129,390 or less.
How many physicists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 50 physicists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.