Physicist salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Physicists in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median of $266,260 a year ($128.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $126,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $308,580 for the top 10%. That is 55% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 18% higher than the Florida statewide median of $225,390. There are 0.05 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $244,380, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $126,170 | $60.66 |
| 25th percentile | $222,230 | $106.84 |
| Median | $266,260 | $128.01 |
| 75th percentile | $300,030 | $144.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $308,580 | $148.36 |
| Average (mean) | $244,380 | $117.49 |
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 | $22,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $11,094.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $10,240.77 |
| Weekly | $5,120.38 |
| Hourly | $128.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $266,260 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $272,480 | 100 |
| 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $62,680 | $30.14 |
| Chemist | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,140 | $45.74 |
| Hydrologist | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $122,280 | $58.79 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $86,890 | $41.77 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Biological Technician | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| School Psychologist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,460 | $40.13 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
The median salary for physicists in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $266,260 a year, or $128.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $126,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $308,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
The top 10% of physicists in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn at least $308,580 a year. The top 25% earn $300,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $126,170 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $222,230 or less.
How many physicists work in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
About 70 physicists are employed in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.