Physicist salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Physicists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $172,080 a year ($82.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $324,260 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 14% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $200,320. There are 0.04 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $210,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,830 | $54.24 |
| 25th percentile | $160,880 | $77.35 |
| Median | $172,080 | $82.73 |
| 75th percentile | $267,610 | $128.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $324,260 | $155.89 |
| Average (mean) | $210,060 | $100.99 |
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 | $14,340 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,170 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,618.46 |
| Weekly | $3,309.23 |
| Hourly | $82.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $172,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $140,370 | 150 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Chemist | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,770 | $56.62 |
| Materials Scientist | $150,550 | $72.38 |
| Hydrologist | $113,550 | $54.59 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $113,550 | $54.59 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $112,640 | $54.16 |
| Biological Technician | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| Conservation Scientist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for physicists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $172,080 a year, or $82.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $324,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $324,260 a year. The top 25% earn $267,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,830 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $160,880 or less.
How many physicists work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 50 physicists are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.