Physicist salary in Michigan
Physicists in Michigan earn a median of $94,520 a year ($45.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $248,500 for the top 10%. That is 45% lower than the national median of $172,250. Michigan ranks 41st of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.12 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $135,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| 25th percentile | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Median | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 75th percentile | $199,170 | $95.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $248,500 | $119.47 |
| Average (mean) | $135,340 | $65.07 |
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 | $7,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,938.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,635.38 |
| Weekly | $1,817.69 |
| Hourly | $45.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $199,170 | 140 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,410 | $51.64 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $118,870 | $57.15 |
| Hydrologist | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Biological Technician | $51,070 | $24.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for physicists in Michigan is $94,520 a year, or $45.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $248,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of physicists in Michigan earn at least $248,500 a year. The top 25% earn $199,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,380 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $71,580 or less.
How many physicists work in Michigan?
About 510 physicists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.