Salary distribution
Where Indiana physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,050 and $159,800, with a median of $110,410.
Physicists in Indiana: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 16 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $61,750. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 10 | $60,808 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $91,237 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Indiana. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University | Post Doctoral Research Associate | 10 | $61,616 |
| University of Notre Dame du Lac | Assistant Research Professor | 4 | $65,942 |
| Indiana University Indianapolis | Research Scientist | 1 | $58,000 |
| NanoRes LLC | Physicist | 1 | $87,755 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Post Doctoral Research Associate at Purdue University$61,616West LafayetteDecided Nov 19, 2025I-200-25316-400614
- Assistant Research Professor at University of Notre Dame du Lac$77,250Notre DameDecided Nov 17, 2025I-200-25311-387272
- Research Scientist at Indiana University Indianapolis$58,000IndianapolisWage Level IDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-155628
- Physicist at NanoRes LLC$87,755LafayetteWage Level IDecided Jun 6, 2025I-200-25151-038231
- Senior Research Associate at Purdue University$91,237West LafayetteWage Level IIDecided May 14, 2025I-200-25127-950657
- Senior Research Associate at Purdue University$91,237West LafayetteWage Level IIDecided May 9, 2025I-200-25122-933493
- Assistant Research Professor at University of Notre Dame du Lac$70,000Notre DameWage Level IDecided Mar 28, 2025I-200-25080-793732
- Research Scientist at University of Notre Dame du Lac$61,884Notre DameWage Level IDecided Mar 11, 2025I-200-25063-742639
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Physicists pay by experience level in Indiana
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Physicists specialties in Indiana
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 9 certified offers. The most common variant is Post Doctoral Research Associate at a median of $59,297.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Doctoral Research Associate | Purdue University | 6 | $59,297 |
| Senior Research Associate | Purdue University | 3 | $91,237 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Physicists in Indiana, by industry
Median offered wage across 16 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $61,616.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Purdue University | 15 | $61,616 |
| Manufacturing | NanoRes LLC | 1 | $87,755 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Indiana over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.6 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- 02
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- 03
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- 04
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- 05
Write research proposals to receive funding.
- 06
Teach physics to students.
- 07
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- 08
Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Indiana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Indiana is $110,410.
- How does Indiana compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Indiana median is -31.8% versus the BLS national figure of $161,819.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Indiana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $51,870 and the 90th-percentile at $224,410, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physicists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physicists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.