SOC 19-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicists — Minnesota
Minnesota · 1 metro areas compared
At $171,220, median pay for Physicists in Minnesota tracks the national median of $172,250 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $171,220, median pay for Physicists in Minnesota tracks the national median of $172,250 closely. Pay ranges from under $131,870 at the tenth percentile to more than $336,740 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $152,410 to $284,820.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.29 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Minnesota ranks number 15th out of 43 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Minneapolis records the highest median at $168,450. Of the 721 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 29th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $131,870 | −23.4% |
| 25th | $152,410 | −11.5% |
| Median (50th) | $171,220 | −0.6% |
| 75th | $284,820 | +65.4% |
| 90th | $336,740 | +95.5% |
| Mean | $201,530 | +17.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $168,450 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $171,220 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$171,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$173,651US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $171,220 a year, 0.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $131,870 to $336,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 15th of 43 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $168,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physicists in Minnesota?
The median annual wage is $171,220, or $82.32 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 Minnesota is 0.6% 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 Minnesota earns more than $336,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $131,870 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 Minneapolis, at $168,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Minnesota. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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