Physicists in Massachusetts. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Massachusetts physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,070 and $170,190, with a median of $106,410.
Physicists in Massachusetts: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 54 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $89,550. 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 | 37 | $75,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 6 | $135,600 |
| Level III — experienced | 6 | $131,435 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 5 | $186,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Massachusetts. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Research Scientist | 16 | $84,950 |
| Harvard University | Postdoctoral Fellow | 11 | $72,500 |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | Clinical Physicist Investigator | 4 | $142,055 |
| General Hospital Corporation | Research Fellow | 4 | $70,875 |
| QuEra Computing Incorporated | Head of Photonics | 4 | $185,500 |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY | Research Scientist | 4 | $89,550 |
| QuEra Computing Inc. | Quantum Scientist - QEC and Applications | 3 | $135,200 |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | GLOBAL ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE - PHYSICS | 2 | $66,082 |
| Brandeis University | Postdoctoral Associate | 1 | $75,564 |
| IonQ Quantum, Inc. | Senior Staff Research Scientist | 1 | $185,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Quantum Scientist – Quantum Error Correction at QuEra Computing Inc.$130,400BostonWage Level IDecided Mar 30, 2026I-203-26082-723087
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University$69,805CambridgeWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2026I-200-26078-715554
- Research Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology$95,000CambridgeWage Level IDecided Feb 24, 2026I-200-26048-644969
- R&D Engineer 3, Software at KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.$153,525CambridgeWage Level IIIDecided Feb 13, 2026I-200-26037-624618
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University$70,304CambridgeWage Level IDecided Feb 12, 2026I-200-26036-622508
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University$84,750CambridgeWage Level IDecided Feb 12, 2026I-200-26036-622755
- Research Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology$125,000CambridgeWage Level IDecided Jan 29, 2026I-200-26022-582286
- Research Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology$110,000CambridgeWage Level IDecided Jan 29, 2026I-200-26022-582343
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.
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Physicists pay by experience level in Massachusetts
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.
Physicists specialties in Massachusetts
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 42 certified offers. The most common variant is Research Scientist at a median of $94,500.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 14 | $94,500 |
| Postdoctoral Associate | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 9 | $72,237 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow | Harvard University | 9 | $72,000 |
| Research Fellow | General Hospital Corporation | 4 | $70,875 |
| Clinical Physicist Investigator | Brigham and Women's Hospital | 3 | $142,055 |
| Senior Quantum Scientist | QuEra Computing Incorporated | 3 | $161,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Physicists in Massachusetts, by industry
Median offered wage across 53 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $77,800.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 35 | $77,800 |
| Healthcare | Brigham and Women's Hospital | 8 | $84,279 |
| Technology and software | QuEra Computing Incorporated | 7 | $161,000 |
| Manufacturing | IonQ Quantum, Inc. | 2 | $169,263 |
| Professional services | Lightsynq Technologies Inc. | 1 | $216,320 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Massachusetts over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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 Massachusetts
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Massachusetts metropolitan areas.
- Boston$106,000
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Massachusetts with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Massachusetts?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Massachusetts is $106,410.
- How does Massachusetts compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Massachusetts median is -35.9% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Massachusetts?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $82,050 and the 90th-percentile at $213,150, 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.
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.