Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin physicists fall on the wage curve.
Distribution not available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.
Physicists in Wisconsin: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $71,584. 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 | 5 | $66,246 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $175,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $2,520,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Wisconsin. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin System | Scientist III | 6 | $74,521 |
| Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc. | Medical Physicist Assistant II | 3 | $67,018 |
| In Physics, LLC | Medical Physicist | 1 | $2,520,000 |
| Marquette University | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 1 | $65,000 |
| Marshfield Clinic | Medical Physicist Radiation Oncology - Ph.D.-BC | 1 | $175,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Medical Physicist Assistant II at Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.$67,018MilwaukeeDecided Nov 26, 2025I-200-25323-422774
- SCIENTIST I at University of Wisconsin System$74,042MADISONDecided Nov 19, 2025I-200-25316-402605
- Medical Physicist at In Physics, LLC$2,520,000MinocquaWage Level IVDecided Jul 24, 2025I-203-25198-183309
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Marquette University$65,000MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Mar 5, 2025I-200-25057-725770
- Medical Physicist Radiation Oncology - Ph.D.-BC at Marshfield Clinic$175,000MarshfieldWage Level IIDecided Jan 7, 2025I-200-24365-576500
- Medical Physicist Assistant at Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.$62,878MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Nov 21, 2024I-200-24319-475739
- Scientist III at University of Wisconsin System$123,830MadisonDecided Oct 4, 2024I-200-24271-371208
- Medical Physicist Assistant II at Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.$67,018MilwaukeeDecided Nov 26, 2025I-200-25323-422779
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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 7 certified offers. The most common variant is Medical Physicist Assistant at a median of $67,018.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Physicist Assistant | Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc. | 4 | $67,018 |
| Scientist | University of Wisconsin System | 3 | $123,830 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Physicists in Wisconsin, by industry
Median offered wage across 12 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $68,072.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | University of Wisconsin System | 10 | $68,072 |
| Professional services | In Physics, LLC | 1 | $2,520,000 |
| Healthcare | Marshfield Clinic | 1 | $175,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Metro-level salary data for physicists in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$196,680
Compare Physicists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Wisconsin is $174,010.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Wisconsin median is +7.5% versus the BLS national figure of $161,819.
- 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.