Physicists in North Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where North Carolina physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,370 and $209,210, with a median of $174,180.
Physicists in North Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 23 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $84,000. 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 | 16 | $75,250 |
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $85,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $197,600 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in North Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Postdoctoral Associate | 13 | $84,989 |
| North Carolina State University | Postdoctoral Research Scholar | 6 | $75,000 |
| East Carolina University | Assistant Professor | 1 | $211,500 |
| The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Atrium Health | Radiation Physicist | 1 | $190,995 |
| The George Washington University | Postdoctoral Associate | 1 | $67,018 |
| Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center | Medical Physicist Oncology | 1 | $197,600 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at North Carolina State University$75,000RaleighWage Level IDecided —I-200-26084-729790
- Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University$86,000DurhamWage Level IDecided Mar 19, 2026I-200-26071-699606
- Medical Physicist Oncology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center$197,600High PointWage Level IVDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25349-481223
- Postdoctoral Associate at The George Washington University$67,018DurhamWage Level IDecided Jul 9, 2025I-200-25182-145833
- Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University$75,500DurhamWage Level IDecided Jul 9, 2025I-200-25182-145780
- Research Scientist at Duke University$84,000DurhamWage Level IDecided Jun 27, 2025I-200-25171-115568
- Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University$68,170DurhamWage Level IDecided Jun 17, 2025I-200-25161-073379
- Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University$85,000DurhamWage Level IDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-986604
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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 17 certified offers. The most common variant is Postdoctoral Associate at a median of $71,835.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Associate | Duke University | 8 | $71,835 |
| Postdoctoral Research Scholar | North Carolina State University | 5 | $75,000 |
| Research Scientist | Duke University | 4 | $84,995 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Physicists in North Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 23 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $77,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Duke University | 21 | $77,500 |
| Healthcare | The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority d/b/a Atrium Health | 2 | $194,297 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Carolina 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in North Carolina is $174,180.
- How does North Carolina compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The North Carolina median is +4.9% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in North Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $64,050 and the 90th-percentile at $256,860, 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.