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State comparison · 2025

Physicists salary: Kentucky vs Pennsylvania

Occupation

Physicists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $210,990. In Kentucky, $180,910. After cost-of-living, the gap is 7.2% — not 14.3%.

Nominal pay gap
-14.3%
Kentucky vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
-7.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Kentucky

Physicists

Median
$180,910
p25
$120,100
p75
$232,170
p10
$65,860
p90
$282,000
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
90.2
Hiring velocity (180d)
-50%
See full breakdown for Kentucky

Pennsylvania

Physicists

Median
$210,990
p25
$150,950
p75
$231,190
p10
$88,300
p90
$261,820
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
97.6
Hiring velocity (180d)
+73%
See full breakdown for Pennsylvania

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.