A PhD in physics can lead to a wide range of salaries depending on the chosen career path, with starting salaries for quantitative analysts on Wall Street around $100,000 plus bonuses. With experience, these professionals can advance to VP positions, earning approximately $150,000 in salary and $100,000 in bonuses. Some physics PhDs may reach managing director levels, where total compensation can exceed $500,000. Academic and government research positions also offer varying salaries, but the financial rewards are generally lower than those in finance. Ultimately, the income potential for a physics PhD is highly dependent on the specific job and industry.