If you are a physicist looking to relocate within the US, our list of 25 best states for physicists may be of assistance.
While you’re at it, also check out our list of 15 smartest countries in science not math.
You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that the world we live in would look a lot different if it weren’t for the physicists. Take a look the most iconic discoveries and inventions of the 20th century: television, computers, the internet, airplanes, nuclear technology, DNA and space technology, theory of relativity, and quantum physics. The point is, the demand for skilled physicists is not going to abate anytime soon. So, once you have your degree in physics, what is next?
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Physicists possess skills that appeal to diverse sectors. They can excel in careers relating to numeracy, problem-solving, data analysis, and the communication of complex ideas. With the demand so large and the skill set so highly valued, a career in physics can yield high rewards. Research done by the Institute of Physics (IOP) indicates these average starting salaries: $45,000 for a B.S. Physicist, $60,000 for a M.S. Physicist, and $80,000 for a Ph.D. Physicist.
So what exactly is the average annual salary of a Physicists living in America, specifically? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 15,650 physicists employed in the USA, and the mean average wage for all physicists amounts to $118,500. Moreover, 10% of the physicist working in the US earn $89.06 an hour, which adds up to $185,230 earned annually.
Since hourly wages for physicists and cost of living differ from state to state, we identified and sorted out the average income statistics available on Bureau of Labor Statistics website, and compared those numbers with the detailed information we got from Meric about living costs.
Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Rhode Island were not featured in our data analysis, because some of the information for these states was missing.
Without further ado, here is our list of 25 best states for physicists.
25. North Dakota
Average Hourly wage: $50.96
Cost of living index: 99.4
Purchasing Power: 1066.5
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24. Idaho
Average Hourly wage: $47.39
Cost of living index: 92.1
Purchasing Power: 1070.2
Copyright: ikonstudio / 123RF Stock Photo
23. Minnesota
Average Hourly wage: $53.11
Cost of living index: 100.8
Purchasing Power: 1095.8
22. Texas
Average Hourly wage: $47.93
Cost of living index: 90.7
Purchasing Power: 1099.1
21. Mississippi
Average Hourly wage: $45.76
Cost of living index: 85.9
Purchasing Power: 1108.1
20. Indiana
Average Hourly wage: $48.57
Cost of living index: 89.5
Purchasing Power: 1128.8
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19. Virginia
Average Hourly wage: $55.3
Cost of living index: 100.8
Purchasing Power: 1140.9
18. Oregon
Average Hourly wage: $64.64
Cost of living index: 115.6
Purchasing Power: 1163.1
17. Nebraska
Average Hourly wage: $64.64
Cost of living index: 91.6
Purchasing Power: 1174.4
16. Washington
Average Hourly wage: $59.5
Cost of living index: 105.2
Purchasing Power: 1176.3
15. Missouri
Average Hourly wage: $59.5
Cost of living index: 90.4
Purchasing Power: 1211.6
14. Michigan
Average Hourly wage: $52.12
Cost of living index: 89
Purchasing Power: 1218.2
13. North Carolina
Average Hourly wage: $55
Cost of living index: 93.9
Purchasing Power: 1218.2
12. Arizona
Average Hourly wage: $57.67
Cost of living index: 98
Purchasing Power: 1223.9
We’re halfway through our list of best states for physicists, and now, let’s see the other half.
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11. Tennessee
Average Hourly wage: $53.53
Cost of living index: 89.4
Purchasing Power: 1245.4
10. Illinois
Average Hourly wage: $59.15
Cost of living index: 94.6
Purchasing Power: 1300.6
9. Pennsylvania
Average Hourly wage: $64.62
Cost of living index: 101.4
Purchasing Power: 1325.5
8. New Mexico
Average Hourly wage: $63.04
Cost of living index: 96.5
Purchasing Power: 1358.6
7. Alabama
Average Hourly wage: $60.75
Cost of living index: 91.2
Purchasing Power: 1385.4
6. South Carolina
Average Hourly wage: $67.51
Cost of living index: 99.2
Purchasing Power: 1415.4
5. Ohio
Average Hourly wage: $65.8
Cost of living index: 93.8
Purchasing Power: 1459.2
4. Georgia
Average Hourly wage: $64.24
Cost of living index: 91.4
Purchasing Power: 1461.8
3. Florida
Average Hourly wage: $71.79
Cost of living index: 98.3
Purchasing Power: 1519.1
2. Kansas
Average Hourly wage: $73.03
Cost of living index: 89.9
Purchasing Power: 1689.6
1. Oklahoma
Average Hourly wage: $74.22
Cost of living index: 89.2
Purchasing Power: 1730.7
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Thanks for checking out our list of the 25 best states for physicists. Wherever your career may take you, be sure to weigh the cost of living as well as the potential income.
