Salary distribution
Where Arizona physicists fall on the wage curve.
Distribution not available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.
Physicists in Arizona: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $69,326. 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.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $66,841 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $208,007 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Arizona. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Postdoctoral Research Scholar | 4 | $68,145 |
| The University of Arizona | Postdoctoral Research Associate III | 3 | $69,326 |
| Northern Arizona University | Postdoctoral Scholar, Quantum Optics/Optomechanics | 1 | $73,000 |
| Mayo Clinic | Medical Physicist - Radiation Oncology | 1 | $208,007 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Scholar, Quantum Optics/Optomechanics at Northern Arizona University$73,000FlagstaffDecided Dec 29, 2025I-200-25353-498761
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Arizona State University$86,507TempeDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25346-479310
- Researcher/Scientist III at The University of Arizona$69,326TucsonWage Level IDecided Aug 13, 2025I-200-25218-225977
- Medical Physicist - Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic$208,007PhoenixWage Level IVDecided Dec 20, 2024I-200-24348-543711
- Assistant Research Scientist at Arizona State University$68,289TempeDecided Dec 8, 2025I-203-25335-446709
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Arizona State University$68,000TempeDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25310-383649
- Postdoctoral Research Associate III at The University of Arizona$96,000TucsonWage Level IDecided Jun 9, 2025I-200-25153-043344
- Postdoctoral Scholar at Arizona State University$62,878TempeWage Level IDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25129-959194
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.
Physicists pay by experience level in Arizona
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 Arizona over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.6 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- 02
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- 03
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- 04
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- 05
Write research proposals to receive funding.
- 06
Teach physics to students.
- 07
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- 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, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Arizona
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Arizona metropolitan areas.
- Phoenix$206,070
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Arizona?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Arizona is $190,960.
- How does Arizona compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Arizona median is +18.0% versus the BLS national figure of $161,819.
- 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.
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.