Physicist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Physicists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $199,170 a year ($95.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $296,760 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 111% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $94,520. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $186,150, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| 25th percentile | $114,250 | $54.93 |
| Median | $199,170 | $95.76 |
| 75th percentile | $223,630 | $107.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $296,760 | $142.68 |
| Average (mean) | $186,150 | $89.50 |
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 | $16,597.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,298.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,660.38 |
| Weekly | $3,830.19 |
| Hourly | $95.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $71,580 | 230 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $64,380 | 80 |
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,650 | $51.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,420 | $27.61 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Biological Technician | $50,580 | $24.32 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for physicists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $199,170 a year, or $95.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $296,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of physicists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $296,760 a year. The top 25% earn $223,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,670 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $114,250 or less.
How many physicists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 140 physicists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.