Physicist salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Physicists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $71,580 a year ($34.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,880 for the top 10%. That is 58% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 24% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $94,520. There are 1.1 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| 25th percentile | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Median | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| 75th percentile | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,880 | $68.69 |
| Average (mean) | $92,920 | $44.67 |
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 | $5,965 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,982.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,753.08 |
| Weekly | $1,376.54 |
| Hourly | $34.41 |
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 |
| 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| Chemist | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $89,170 | $42.87 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Agricultural Technician | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Conservation Scientist | $67,580 | $32.49 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for physicists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $71,580 a year, or $34.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of physicists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $142,880 a year. The top 25% earn $94,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,580 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $71,580 or less.
How many physicists work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 230 physicists are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.