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Average Physicists Salary in Colorado

Physicists in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $151,700, which is below the national average of $177,260. This disparity is often influenced by the specific industry demands and the concentration of research institutions within the state, which can shape compensation structures for highly specialized roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $151,700 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 10.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $191,880.
  • Outlook: Colorado boasts a robust job market for physicists, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 1,120 individuals. The high Location Quotient of 2.81 strongly indicates a significant concentration of these professionals compared to the national average, suggesting robust demand and a thriving ecosystem for physics-related careers within the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$151,700

The average Physicists in Colorado earns-14.4%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$72.9

Weekly

$2,917

Monthly

$12,642

Physicists Salary Distribution in Colorado

Salary progression for physicists in Colorado typically shows a significant increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior physicists with extensive expertise and specialized skills can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The widening gap between entry-level and senior salaries reflects the value placed on accumulated knowledge, leadership, and advanced problem-solving capabilities in the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$109,250$52.5
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$113,775$54.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$144,670$69.6
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$189,625$91.2
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$191,880$92.3

Detailed Physicists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$151,700

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$143,791

Adjusted for COL (105.5)

While the nominal average salary for physicists in Colorado is $151,700, the state's Cost of Living Index of 105.5 means that expenses are approximately 5.5% higher than the national average. This suggests that the purchasing power of the $151,700 salary is slightly diminished when compared to living in a more average-cost area, requiring careful budgeting for residents.

Job Market Context

1,120

Total Jobs

0.388

Per 1K Jobs

2.81

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Colorado has 2.8x 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.

Colorado's Location Quotient of 2.81 for physicists signifies a market that is nearly three times more concentrated than the national average. This indicates a highly specialized and potentially competitive environment, where the demand for physicists is significantly higher relative to the general workforce, offering ample opportunities for skilled professionals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Physicists

CitySalaryDist.
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Physicists Salary$155,520↑ 3%54 mi
Boulder, CO Physicists Salary$153,390↑ 1%67 mi

Comparing salaries near Colorado

Hiring Physicistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Physicists make in Colorado?

The median annual salary for a Physicists in Colorado is $151,700. This typically ranges from $109,250 for entry-level positions to $191,880 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Colorado is 14.4% lower than the national median of $177,260.

Is Colorado a lucrative place for Physicists?

Yes, with caveats.Colorado offers a strong concentration of physicist jobs (LQ 2.81) and a substantial local workforce. However, the average salary is below the national average, and the cost of living is higher than the national average.

Is Colorado a good place to live for Physicists?

The Cost of Living Index in Colorado is 105.5. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Colorado?

Some top paying nearby cities include Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO ($155,520) and Boulder, CO.

What is the average salary for a Physicist in Colorado?

The average annual salary for a Physicist in Colorado is $151,700.

How does Colorado's physicist salary compare to the national average?

Physicists in Colorado earn approximately $25,560 less per year than the national average salary of $177,260.

Is the job market for physicists strong in Colorado?

Yes, Colorado has a strong job market for physicists, indicated by a Location Quotient of 2.81, meaning the concentration of these jobs is significantly higher than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Colorado affect a physicist's salary?

Colorado's cost of living is 5.5% higher than the national average (Index 105.5), meaning the $151,700 salary has slightly less purchasing power than it would in a national average cost area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,120 employees in the Colorado area with a job density of 0.388 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Physicists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Colorado