Salary distribution
Where Ohio physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,360 and $198,690, with a median of $135,550.
Physicists in Ohio: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 22 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $71,427. 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 | 12 | $67,425 |
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $180,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $137,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Ohio. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ohio State University | Radiation Physicist 2 | 7 | $105,000 |
| Kent State University | Research Associate | 4 | $61,980 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | Research Associate | 2 | $64,688 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Senior Research Associate | 2 | $62,764 |
| The University of Toledo | Research Assistant Professor | 2 | $65,942 |
| In Physics, LLC | Medical Physicist | 1 | $200,000 |
| University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center | Physicist II | 1 | $180,000 |
| OMPC, LLC | Therapy Medical Physicist | 1 | $170,000 |
| Kenyon College | Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics | 1 | $71,115 |
| Cleveland Clinic | Diagnostic Medical Physicist | 1 | $162,500 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Research Associate at Kent State University$67,475KentDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25309-377805
- Medical Physicist at In Physics, LLC$200,000YoungstownWage Level IIDecided Sep 19, 2025I-203-25255-305504
- Radiobiologist 4 at The Ohio State University$105,000ColumbusWage Level IIIDecided Sep 4, 2025I-200-25239-270023
- Research Associate at UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI$67,375CincinnatiWage Level IDecided Aug 29, 2025I-200-25234-261721
- Radiation Physicist 2 at The Ohio State University$189,789ColumbusWage Level IDecided Aug 25, 2025I-200-25230-248287
- Postdoctoral Fellow at UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI$62,000CincinnatiWage Level IDecided Aug 8, 2025I-200-25213-215545
- Researcher 1 at The Ohio State University$58,488ColumbusWage Level IDecided Jul 3, 2025I-200-25177-132084
- Senior Research Associate at Case Western Reserve University$71,739ClevelandWage Level IIDecided Apr 8, 2025I-200-25091-819813
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 Ohio
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 Ohio
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 8 certified offers. The most common variant is Research Associate at a median of $67,475.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | Kent State University | 5 | $67,475 |
| Radiation Physicist | The Ohio State University | 3 | $189,789 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Physicists in Ohio, by industry
Median offered wage across 22 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $67,475.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | The Ohio State University | 18 | $67,475 |
| Professional services | In Physics, LLC | 2 | $185,000 |
| Healthcare | University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center | 2 | $171,250 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Ohio 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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Explore coursesTop metros in Ohio
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Ohio metropolitan areas.
- Cleveland$225,930
- Columbus$134,260
- Cincinnati$114,900
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Ohio?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Ohio is $135,550.
- How does Ohio compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Ohio median is -16.2% versus the BLS national figure of $161,819.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Ohio?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $49,180 and the 90th-percentile at $225,930, 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.