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State comparison · 2025

Physicists salary: Pennsylvania vs Rhode Island

Occupation

Physicists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $210,990. In Rhode Island, $155,150. After cost-of-living, the gap is 42.5% — not 36%.

Nominal pay gap
+36%
Pennsylvania vs Rhode Island
COL-adjusted gap
+42.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

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

Rhode Island

Physicists

Median
$155,150
p25
$111,240
p75
$187,080
p10
$86,340
p90
$298,000
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
102.3
Hiring velocity (180d)
+50%
See full breakdown for Rhode Island

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.