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DATA PROFILE · 2024

Physicists salary in Alabama

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 27, 2026
Median annual$114,690
Mean annual$130,730
Range (10th to 90th)$69,320 to $222,590
Alabama employment360
State vs national-29.1% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Alabama physicists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$69,32025TH$91,260MEDIAN$114,69075TH$164,06090TH$222,590

The middle 50% of workers earn between $91,260 and $164,060, with a median of $114,690.

Real disclosed salaries

Physicists in Alabama: actual employer-disclosed pay

Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $62,878. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.

By DOL wage level

DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.

LevelFilingsMedian offer
Level I — entry5$62,878

Top employers filing for this role

Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Alabama. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.

EmployerMost-filed titleFilingsMedian
The University of Alabama in HuntsvilleResearch Scientist I4$66,969
The University of AlabamaPostdoctoral Physics Researcher1$62,878
Auburn UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow1$62,878

Recent sample filings

A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.

  • Research Scientist I at The University of Alabama in Huntsville
    $139,399,520
    HuntsvilleDecided Dec 2, 2025I-200-25328-433041
  • Postdoctoral Physics Researcher at The University of Alabama
    $62,878
    TuscaloosaWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-787671
  • Postdoctoral Fellow at Auburn University
    $62,878
    AuburnWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-787566
  • Research Scientist I at The University of Alabama in Huntsville
    $71,060
    HuntsvilleWage Level IDecided Sep 16, 2025I-200-25252-296716
  • Postdoctoral Research Assistant III at The University of Alabama in Huntsville
    $62,878
    HuntsvilleWage Level IDecided Apr 29, 2025I-200-25112-889718
  • Postdoctoral Research Assistant III at The University of Alabama in Huntsville
    $62,878
    HuntsvilleWage Level IDecided Feb 19, 2025I-200-25042-684314

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.

By seniority

Physicists pay by experience level in Alabama

Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in Alabama over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.

Median annual wage, Alabama2023 to 2024
$132,9302023$114,6902024

Typical entry

  • Education

    Doctoral or professional degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Physics

    Knowledge

    4.9 / 5
  • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    4.8 / 5
  • Mathematical Reasoning

    Ability

    4.8 / 5
  • Science

    Basic skill

    4.6 / 5
  • Engineering and Technology

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.4 / 5
  • Mathematics

    Basic skill

    4.3 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.3 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.

  2. 02

    Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.

  3. 03

    Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.

  4. 04

    Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.

  5. 05

    Write research proposals to receive funding.

  6. 06

    Teach physics to students.

  7. 07

    Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.

  8. 08

    Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

+4.1%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Average growth

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Physicists in Alabama?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Alabama is $114,690.
How does Alabama compare to the national median for Physicists?
The Alabama median is -29.1% versus the BLS national figure of $161,819.
What is the salary range for Physicists in Alabama?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $69,320 and the 90th-percentile at $222,590, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Physicists a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Physicists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.