Data Scientist vs Physicist Salary
Physicists earned a median of $172,250 a year in May 2025, $52,020 (43%) more than data scientists at $120,230, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How do the two jobs compare?
| Measure | Data Scientist | Physicist |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $120,230 | $172,250 |
| Median hourly | $57.80 | $82.81 |
| Mean annual | $126,800 | $171,180 |
| 10th percentile | $67,240 | $82,110 |
| 90th percentile | $199,130 | $274,110 |
| Jobs on record | 262,440 | 20,430 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | +34.6% | +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 data scientists?
Pay for data scientists runs from $67,240 at the 10th percentile to $199,130 at the 90th, around a median of $120,230.
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?
Data scientists earn more than physicists in 5 of 42 states and territories where both have a published median. The widest gap is in Oklahoma, where physicists lead by $113,740.
| State | Data Scientist | Physicist | Data Scientist minus Physicist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $103,120 | $139,330 | -$36,210 |
| Arizona | $107,240 | $130,500 | -$23,260 |
| Arkansas | $109,390 | $135,820 | -$26,430 |
| California | $141,590 | $207,490 | -$65,900 |
| Colorado | $117,400 | $104,580 | +$12,820 |
| Connecticut | $126,340 | $180,300 | -$53,960 |
| District of Columbia | $126,490 | $157,040 | -$30,550 |
| Florida | $115,820 | $225,390 | -$109,570 |
| Georgia | $104,340 | $144,870 | -$40,530 |
| Hawaii | $102,130 | $117,190 | -$15,060 |
| Idaho | $89,380 | $135,150 | -$45,770 |
| Illinois | $106,560 | $137,140 | -$30,580 |
| Indiana | $91,470 | $105,940 | -$14,470 |
| Iowa | $95,830 | $178,110 | -$82,280 |
| Kentucky | $91,760 | $180,910 | -$89,150 |
| Louisiana | $78,760 | $166,240 | -$87,480 |
| Maryland | $136,370 | $174,390 | -$38,020 |
| Massachusetts | $131,750 | $106,410 | +$25,340 |
| Michigan | $100,590 | $94,520 | +$6,070 |
| Minnesota | $128,800 | $171,220 | -$42,420 |
| Mississippi | $69,490 | $129,970 | -$60,480 |
| Missouri | $97,090 | $140,460 | -$43,370 |
| Montana | $100,490 | $103,800 | -$3,310 |
| Nevada | $98,540 | $154,030 | -$55,490 |
| New Hampshire | $100,620 | $214,030 | -$113,410 |
| New Jersey | $135,280 | $163,270 | -$27,990 |
| New Mexico | $95,850 | $165,340 | -$69,490 |
| New York | $130,460 | $181,970 | -$51,510 |
| North Carolina | $119,090 | $174,180 | -$55,090 |
| Ohio | $102,630 | $162,900 | -$60,270 |
| Oklahoma | $86,310 | $200,050 | -$113,740 |
| Oregon | $125,990 | $200,320 | -$74,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,850 | $210,990 | -$104,140 |
| Rhode Island | $102,440 | $155,150 | -$52,710 |
| South Carolina | $91,990 | $138,400 | -$46,410 |
| South Dakota | $96,150 | $83,050 | +$13,100 |
| Tennessee | $100,330 | $165,010 | -$64,680 |
| Texas | $122,090 | $184,040 | -$61,950 |
| Utah | $108,090 | $156,760 | -$48,670 |
| Virginia | $126,430 | $145,040 | -$18,610 |
| Washington | $163,350 | $134,790 | +$28,560 |
| Wisconsin | $106,680 | $173,120 | -$66,440 |
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.