Physical Scientist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A physical scientist earns a median of $122,570 a year ($58.93 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $129,230. About 22,300 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $122,570
- Gross pay
- $4,714.23
- Federal income tax
- −$698.11
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$292.28
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$68.36
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,655.48
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $122,570
- Federal
- $18,151
- FICA
- $9,377
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $95,043
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Economist: $124,720
- Materials Scientist: $117,790
- Biochemist and Biophysicist: $127,410
- Astronomer: $128,820
- Psychologist: $110,840
- Nuclear Technician: $110,240
- Sociologist: $106,030
- Medical Scientist: $103,410
BLS occupation: Physical Scientists, All Other. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-2099). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $58.93; the average is $62.13.
What is the salary range for a physical scientist?
The bottom 10% earn under $67,000 and the top 10% earn over $195,190 a year.
How much is $122,570 after taxes?
About $95,043 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $86,295 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.