Physicists in Rhode Island. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Rhode Island physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $111,240 and $187,080, with a median of $155,150.
Physicists in Rhode Island: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $85,000. 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 | 3 | $82,200 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $85,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Rhode Island. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | Assistant Professor of Physics | 3 | $85,000 |
| University of Rhode Island | Postdoctoral Fellow | 2 | $80,217 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Assistant Professor of Physics at Brown University$82,200ProvidenceWage Level IDecided Aug 19, 2025I-200-25224-236271
- Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Rhode Island$69,805KingstonWage Level IDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-221347
- Research Associate in Physics at Brown University$85,000ProvidenceWage Level IIDecided Jun 10, 2025I-200-25154-045644
- Research Assistant Professor at University of Rhode Island$90,628KingstonWage Level IDecided Jan 22, 2025I-200-25014-616954
- Senior Research Associate in Engineering at Brown University$85,000ProvidenceWage Level IIDecided Oct 25, 2024I-200-24292-416705
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 Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island over the past 2 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 Rhode Island
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Rhode Island metropolitan areas.
- Providence$155,150
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Rhode Island with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Rhode Island is $155,150.
- How does Rhode Island compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Rhode Island median is -6.6% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Rhode Island?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $86,340 and the 90th-percentile at $298,000, 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.