Physicists in Michigan. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Michigan physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $71,580 and $199,170, with a median of $94,520.
Physicists in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 33 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $80,000. 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 | 16 | $68,232 |
| Level II — qualified | 8 | $90,589 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $185,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $90,230 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 17 | $72,771 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | Research Associate | 6 | $82,404 |
| William Beaumont Hospital | Medical Physicist | 2 | $90,230 |
| Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute | Physicist | 1 | $150,000 |
| Henry Ford Health System | Physicist-Radiation Oncology | 1 | $215,000 |
| KLA Corporation | Research Scientist | 1 | $124,448 |
| Precess Medical Derivatives | medical physicist | 1 | $77,000 |
| Rydberg Technologies Inc. | Research and Development Physicist | 1 | $81,952 |
| THEMIS AI INC. | HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY | 1 | $150,000 |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY | POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW | 1 | $63,100 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW at WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY$63,100DETROITWage Level IDecided —I-200-26084-729388
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Michigan$67,500Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Mar 27, 2026I-200-26079-717831
- Scientist (FRIB/NSCL) at MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY$102,500East LansingWage Level IIDecided Mar 27, 2026I-200-26079-717770
- Research Scientist at KLA Corporation$124,448Ann ArborWage Level IIIDecided Mar 17, 2026I-200-26069-691074
- Research Investigator at University of Michigan$72,771Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Mar 10, 2026I-200-26062-676401
- Assistant Research Scientist at University of Michigan$90,480Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Feb 27, 2026I-200-26051-654294
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Michigan$80,000Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Feb 20, 2026I-200-26043-637836
- Assistant Research Scientist at University of Michigan$83,000Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Jan 26, 2026I-200-26019-570186
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.
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Physicists pay by experience level in Michigan
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 Michigan
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 21 certified offers. The most common variant is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at a median of $63,045.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Michigan | 9 | $63,045 |
| Assistant Research Scientist | University of Michigan | 5 | $90,480 |
| Medical Physicist | William Beaumont Hospital | 4 | $90,230 |
| Research Investigator | University of Michigan | 3 | $78,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Physicists in Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 33 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $70,868.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | University of Michigan | 24 | $70,868 |
| Healthcare | William Beaumont Hospital | 5 | $150,000 |
| Professional services | Precess Medical Derivatives | 3 | $81,952 |
| Manufacturing | KLA Corporation | 1 | $124,448 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Michigan over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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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Explore coursesTop metros in Michigan
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$199,170
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Michigan with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Michigan is $94,520.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Michigan median is -43.1% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $64,380 and the 90th-percentile at $248,500, 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.