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Average Physicists Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Physicists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area earn an average annual salary of $155,570. This figure is notably below the national average of $177,260, suggesting that while the demand for physicists is present, local market dynamics or specific industry concentrations may influence compensation levels compared to broader national trends.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $155,570 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $214,260.
  • Outlook: The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metropolitan area supports a dedicated workforce of 480 Physicists. With a Location Quotient of 2.58, this region exhibits a significantly higher concentration of these professionals than the national average, indicating a robust and specialized job market for physicists within the area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$155,570

The average Physicists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD earns-12.2%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$74.8

Weekly

$2,992

Monthly

$12,964

Physicists Salary Distribution in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Salary progression for Physicists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while senior roles with extensive research or leadership responsibilities command higher salaries, often reaching into the upper percentiles. The widening gap between entry-level and senior salaries signifies clear career advancement opportunities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$101,040$48.6
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$116,678$56.1
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$162,490$78.1
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$194,463$93.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$214,260$103

Detailed Physicists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$155,570

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$155,570

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $155,570 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the nominal salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, providing a stable financial baseline for residents.

Job Market Context

480

Total Jobs

0.357

Per 1K Jobs

2.58

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD has 2.6x the national concentration of Physicists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

A Location Quotient of 2.58 for Physicists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, signifies a market that is more than twice as concentrated as the national average. This indicates a strong presence and potentially high demand for physicists, making it a significant hub for the profession relative to its size.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Physicists

CitySalaryDist.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Physicists Salary$165,950↑ 7%35 mi

Comparing salaries near Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Hiring Physicistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Physicists make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The median annual salary for a Physicists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $155,570. This typically ranges from $101,040 for entry-level positions to $214,260 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is 12.2% lower than the national median of $177,260.

Is Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD a lucrative place for Physicists?

Yes, with caveats.While the average salary of $155,570 is below the national average, the high concentration of physicists (LQ 2.58) and a national average cost of living suggest a stable and specialized market.

Is Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD a good place to live for Physicists?

The Cost of Living Index in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

Some top paying nearby cities include Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($165,950) and others.

How does the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson physicist salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for Physicists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $155,570, which is lower than the national average of $177,260.

What is the concentration of Physicists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 2.58, indicating that Physicists are more than twice as prevalent in this area compared to the national average.

How does the cost of living affect the physicist salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the salary of $155,570 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it relatively stable.

What is the total number of Physicists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area?

There are approximately 480 Physicists employed within the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 480 employees in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area with a job density of 0.357 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Semantic Salary Analysis for Physicists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD