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Average Physicists Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Physicists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $187,560. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $177,260, indicating a strong demand for specialized scientific talent in this region. The higher compensation likely reflects the concentration of research institutions, advanced industries, and the competitive labor market inherent to this major economic hub.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $187,560 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $281,340.
  • Outlook: The job market for Physicists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area, while not as concentrated as the national average with a Location Quotient of 0.74, still supports a local workforce of 960 professionals. This indicates a stable, albeit not exceptionally dense, demand for physicists, suggesting consistent opportunities for those with relevant expertise within this significant economic region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$187,560

The average Physicists in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earns+5.8%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$90.2

Weekly

$3,607

Monthly

$15,630

Physicists Salary Distribution in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

The salary spectrum for Physicists typically widens considerably with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior roles and those with specialized expertise can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, potentially exceeding $200,000. The gap between starting and senior salaries signifies a clear career progression path and the increasing value placed on accumulated knowledge and leadership.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$84,980$40.9
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$140,670$67.6
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$177,490$85.3
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$234,450$112.7
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$281,340$135.3

Detailed Physicists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$187,560

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$187,560

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $187,560 for Physicists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of a physicist's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial foundation without the immediate pressure of significantly higher living expenses.

Job Market Context

960

Total Jobs

0.103

Per 1K Jobs

0.74

Location Quotient

Below Average

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has 0.74x the national average concentration of Physicists jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

With a Location Quotient of 0.74, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area has a slightly lower concentration of Physicists compared to the national average. This suggests that while the region employs a notable number of these professionals (960), the job market may be less saturated than in areas with a higher LQ, potentially offering a competitive edge for skilled physicists seeking opportunities.

Nearby Job Markets

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Physicists make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The median annual salary for a Physicists in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $187,560. This typically ranges from $84,980 for entry-level positions to $281,340 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is 5.8% higher than the national median of $177,260.

Is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ a lucrative place for Physicists?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Physicists.Physicists in this region earn an average of $187,560, which is higher than the national average. Coupled with a cost of living at the national average, this makes the area financially attractive for the profession.

Is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ a good place to live for Physicists?

The Cost of Living Index in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the local physicist workforce compare to the national average?

The local workforce for Physicists in New York-Newark-Jersey City is 960 individuals. The Location Quotient of 0.74 indicates that the concentration of physicists in this area is slightly below the national average.

What is the job density for Physicists in this region?

There are approximately 0.103 jobs per 1,000 workers for Physicists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area, reflecting the specialized nature of the role within the broader economy.

Does the high salary reflect a high cost of living?

No, the average salary of $187,560 is balanced by a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This suggests that the higher nominal salary does not come with proportionally higher living expenses.

Are there many job opportunities for Physicists in NY-NJ?

While the Location Quotient is below 1.0, the total workforce of 960 indicates a substantial presence and consistent demand for Physicists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City 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 960 employees in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area with a job density of 0.103 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.