Video Game Physics Programmer Question

Depends on a number of factors. Experience, where you live/plan to work. This info can be found online already, there are a few industry surveys I've seen but heading to bed so didn't look for any. Gamasutra.com might have something if you cannot find anything searching on these forums.

As physics engines are increasingly licensed rather than built in-house, the demand -- and therefore the pay scale -- decreases.

Highly valued physics programmers are often people with CS degrees, plus an advanced degree in math and/or physics. Double masters degrees in math+cs or physics+cs are fairly common.

Normal, everyday gameplay programmers may be expected to learn how to use one of the many commercial physics engines as a matter of course.

Unless you happen to have a double degree, expect to earn about the same as your co-workers. With the double degree, don't expect much more than the single-degree counterparts.