Salary distribution
Where Missouri 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 Missouri: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 14 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $82,495. 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 | 5 | $67,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $142,395 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $199,800 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $235,400 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Missouri. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University | Assistant Professor | 9 | $84,989 |
| The Curators of the University of Missouri | Postdoctoral Fellow | 2 | $66,440 |
| The Curators of the University of Missouri/University of Missouri-Kansas City | Senior Engineer | 2 | $82,500 |
| SSM Health Care Group | Medical Physicist | 1 | $235,400 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Fellow at The Curators of the University of Missouri$70,000ColumbiaDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25346-479055
- Staff Scientist at Washington University$67,018St LouisDecided Dec 8, 2025I-200-25335-446853
- Senior Engineer at The Curators of the University of Missouri/University of Missouri-Kansas City$85,000Kansas CityWage Level IDecided Sep 24, 2025I-200-25260-316208
- Medical Physicist at SSM Health Care Group$235,400St. LouisWage Level IVDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25135-980437
- ASSISTANT PROFESSOR at Washington University$67,000ST LOUISWage Level IDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25135-982588
- Assistant Professor at Washington University$199,800ST LOUISWage Level IIIDecided Apr 18, 2025I-200-25101-855339
- Assistant Professor at Washington University$199,800St LouisWage Level IIDecided Apr 16, 2025I-200-25099-847912
- Senior Engineer at The Curators of the University of Missouri/University of Missouri-Kansas City$80,000Kansas CityWage Level IDecided Feb 26, 2025I-200-25050-707106
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 Missouri
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 in Missouri, by industry
Median offered wage across 14 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $80,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Washington University | 13 | $80,000 |
| Healthcare | SSM Health Care Group | 1 | $235,400 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Missouri 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 Missouri
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Missouri metropolitan areas.
- St. Louis$180,450
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Missouri?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Missouri is $180,450.
- How does Missouri compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Missouri median is +11.5% 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.