SOC 19-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicists — Idaho
Idaho · 1 metro areas compared
In Idaho the median wage is $135,150.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Idaho the median wage is $135,150. That is 21.5% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay ranges from under $85,110 at the tenth percentile to more than $199,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $108,480 to $175,150.
Idaho ranks number 32nd out of 43 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Idaho Falls records the highest median at $135,150. Of the 617 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 21st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $85,110 | −50.6% |
| 25th | $108,480 | −37.0% |
| Median (50th) | $135,150 | −21.5% |
| 75th | $175,150 | +1.7% |
| 90th | $199,990 | +16.1% |
| Mean | $148,780 | −13.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls | $135,150 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $135,150 goes as far as $141,518 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$135,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$141,518US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $135,150 a year, 21.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $85,110 to $199,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 32nd of 43 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Idaho Falls, at $135,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physicists in Idaho?
The median annual wage is $135,150, or $64.97 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $172,250, so pay in Idaho is 21.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Idaho earns more than $199,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $85,110 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Idaho Falls, at $135,150 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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