How Much Do Physicists Make?

Nationally, the median wage for physicists is $6,970 per month ($40.23 per hour). Half of all physicists earn between $5,430 and $8,690 per month ($31.35 and $50.14 per hour).

Most physicists can expect benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

In Minnesota, the median wage for physicists is $36.88 per hour, or $6,391 per month for a full-time worker. Half of all physicists earn between $31.78 and $49.10 per hour, or between $5,507 and $8,509 per month.

http://www.bls.gov/oes/2003/may/oes192012.htm

$$$$$$$ The 20 Best Paying Jobs in the US $$$$$$$

OCCUPATION	HOURLY	YEARLY
1. Surgeons	$65.89	$137,050
2. Obstetricians & Gynecologists	$64.15	$133,430
3. Anesthesiologists	$63.31	$131,680
4. Internists, general	$61.03	$126,940
5. Pediatricians, general	$56.03	$116,550
6. Psychiatrists	$54.60	$113,570
7. Family & General Practitioners	$52.89	$110,020
8. Dentists	$53.28	$110,820
9. Chief Executives	$51.77	$107,670
10. Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flt. Engineers	(N/A)	$99,400
11. Podiatrists	$45.43	$94.500
12. Lawyers	$44.19	$91,920
13. Optometrists	$42.35	$88,100
14. Computer & Information Systems Mgrs	$40.33	$83,890
15. Physicists	$40.26	83,750
16. Air Traffic Controllers	$40.07	$83,350
17. Petroleum Engineers	$39.33	$81,800
18. Nuclear Engineers	$38.56	80,200
19. Judges, Magistrate Judges, Magistrates	$38.24	$79,540
20. Marketing Managers	$37.70	$78,410

Source: 2001 Occupational Employment Statistics Survey, conducted by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.