Physicist salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Physicists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $57,780 a year ($27.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,780 for the top 10%. That is 66% lower than the national median of $172,250. There are 0.18 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| 25th percentile | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Median | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| 75th percentile | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,780 | $59.51 |
| Average (mean) | $84,480 | $40.62 |
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 | $4,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,222.31 |
| Weekly | $1,111.15 |
| Hourly | $27.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine 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 |
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| Chemist | $64,320 | $30.93 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Biological Technician | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,930 | $39.39 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| School Psychologist | $84,680 | $40.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,240 | $30.88 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Chemical Technician | $52,780 | $25.38 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,990 | $29.81 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for physicists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $57,780 a year, or $27.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of physicists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $123,780 a year. The top 25% earn $117,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,780 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $57,780 or less.
How many physicists work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 50 physicists are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.