Compensation and Benefits Managers vs Physicists Salary
Physicists earned a median of $172,250 a year in May 2025, $23,020 (15%) more than compensation and benefits managers at $149,230, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How do the two jobs compare?
| Measure | Compensation and Benefits Managers | Physicists |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $149,230 | $172,250 |
| Median hourly | $71.75 | $82.81 |
| Mean annual | $162,640 | $171,180 |
| 10th percentile | $89,160 | $82,110 |
| 90th percentile | $256,570 | $274,110 |
| Jobs on record | 22,940 | 20,430 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | +1.1% | +7.2% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: BLS OEWS national file, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035. Wage and salary jobs only; the self-employed are not counted. Confirm any figure in the OEWS tables at bls.gov.
What is the pay range for compensation and benefits managers?
Pay for compensation and benefits managers runs from $89,160 at the 10th percentile to $256,570 at the 90th, around a median of $149,230.
What is the pay range for physicists?
Pay for physicists runs from $82,110 at the 10th percentile to $274,110 at the 90th, around a median of $172,250.
Source: BLS OEWS national file, May 2025.
Which job pays more in each state?
Compensation and benefits managers earn more than physicists in 12 of 41 states and territories where both have a published median. The widest gap is in Florida, where physicists lead by $97,430.
| State | Compensation and Benefits Managers | Physicists | Compensation and Benefits Managers minus Physicists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $118,470 | $139,330 | -$20,860 |
| Arizona | $129,890 | $130,500 | -$610 |
| Arkansas | $100,810 | $135,820 | -$35,010 |
| California | $166,730 | $207,490 | -$40,760 |
| Colorado | $165,770 | $104,580 | +$61,190 |
| Connecticut | $197,970 | $180,300 | +$17,670 |
| Delaware | $166,070 | $82,590 | +$83,480 |
| District of Columbia | $160,990 | $157,040 | +$3,950 |
| Florida | $127,960 | $225,390 | -$97,430 |
| Georgia | $163,060 | $144,870 | +$18,190 |
| Hawaii | $110,120 | $117,190 | -$7,070 |
| Idaho | $90,020 | $135,150 | -$45,130 |
| Illinois | $151,730 | $137,140 | +$14,590 |
| Indiana | $118,180 | $105,940 | +$12,240 |
| Iowa | $118,250 | $178,110 | -$59,860 |
| Kentucky | $114,290 | $180,910 | -$66,620 |
| Louisiana | $99,840 | $166,240 | -$66,400 |
| Maryland | $139,860 | $174,390 | -$34,530 |
| Massachusetts | $184,070 | $106,410 | +$77,660 |
| Michigan | $151,620 | $94,520 | +$57,100 |
| Minnesota | $163,390 | $171,220 | -$7,830 |
| Mississippi | $89,250 | $129,970 | -$40,720 |
| Missouri | $106,490 | $140,460 | -$33,970 |
| Nevada | $115,180 | $154,030 | -$38,850 |
| New Hampshire | $136,950 | $214,030 | -$77,080 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 | $163,270 | +$5,100 |
| New Mexico | $124,390 | $165,340 | -$40,950 |
| New York | $175,620 | $181,970 | -$6,350 |
| North Carolina | $135,240 | $174,180 | -$38,940 |
| Ohio | $141,920 | $162,900 | -$20,980 |
| Oklahoma | $107,760 | $200,050 | -$92,290 |
| Oregon | $161,470 | $200,320 | -$38,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $139,040 | $210,990 | -$71,950 |
| Rhode Island | $149,340 | $155,150 | -$5,810 |
| South Carolina | $99,630 | $138,400 | -$38,770 |
| Tennessee | $132,780 | $165,010 | -$32,230 |
| Texas | $136,930 | $184,040 | -$47,110 |
| Utah | $132,620 | $156,760 | -$24,140 |
| Virginia | $153,660 | $145,040 | +$8,620 |
| Washington | $199,190 | $134,790 | +$64,400 |
| Wisconsin | $127,920 | $173,120 | -$45,200 |
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.