How Much Does a Quantum Physicist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$172,250
Quantum physicists in the U.S. earn a median of $172,250 a year, or $82.81 an hour. Half of quantum physicists earn more than $172,250 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $274,110.
Pay percentiles for quantum physicists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39.48 | $82,110 |
| 25th | $53.71 | $111,720 |
| 50th (median) | $82.81 | $172,250 |
| 75th | $107.10 | $222,760 |
| 90th | $131.79 | $274,110 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Physicists (SOC 19-2012). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for quantum physicists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 | $108.36 | +31% |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | $102.90 | +24% |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $101.44 | +22% |
| California | $207,490 | $99.75 | +20% |
| Oregon | $200,320 | $96.31 | +16% |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | $96.18 | +16% |
| Texas | $184,040 | $88.48 | +7% |
| New York | $181,970 | $87.48 | +6% |
| Kentucky | $180,910 | $86.98 | +5% |
| Connecticut | $180,300 | $86.68 | +5% |
| United States | $172,250 | $82.81 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many quantum physicists are there?
BLS counts about 20,430 quantum physicists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Physicists”. The most jobs are in California (5,930), Illinois (1,590) and Maryland (1,200).
The mean (average) annual wage is $171,180, lower than the median of $172,250.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $14,354
- Biweekly
- $6,625
- Weekly
- $3,313
- Daily (8 hours)
- $663
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do quantum physicists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for quantum physicists is $82.81. The middle 50% earn between $53.71 and $107.10 an hour.
Which state pays quantum physicists the most?
Florida has the highest median wage for quantum physicists at $225,390, +31% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for quantum physicists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of quantum physicists earn less than $82,110 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.