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State comparison · 2025

Physicists salary: Florida vs South Dakota

Occupation

Physicists in Florida earn a median of $225,390. In South Dakota, $83,050. After cost-of-living, the gap is 132.5% — not 171.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+171.4%
Florida vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+132.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Florida

Physicists

Median
$225,390
p25
$153,980
p75
$285,400
p10
$113,240
p90
$308,580
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
103.4
Hiring velocity (180d)
-22%
See full breakdown for Florida

South Dakota

Physicists

Median
$83,050
p25
$66,170
p75
$134,300
p10
$53,910
p90
$180,690
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
88.6
Hiring velocity (180d)
+50%
See full breakdown for South Dakota

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.