Physicist salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Physicists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $64,380 a year ($30.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,440 for the top 10%. That is 63% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 32% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $94,520. There are 0.37 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| 25th percentile | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Median | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| 75th percentile | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,440 | $84.83 |
| Average (mean) | $100,460 | $48.30 |
Half of physicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,365 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,682.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,476.15 |
| Weekly | $1,238.08 |
| Hourly | $30.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $199,170 | 140 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $71,580 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chemist | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,370 | $41.04 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Biological Technician | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $117,210 | $56.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,070 | $52.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for physicists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $64,380 a year, or $30.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of physicists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $176,440 a year. The top 25% earn $114,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,380 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $64,380 or less.
How many physicists work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.