Physicists Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $188,400 +13.3% vs national
Median hourly $90.58
10th percentile $67,850
90th percentile $218,840
Employed locally 150
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Detroit, MI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Physicists
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $67,850
    25th
    $108,070
    50th (median)
    $188,400
    75th
    $202,560
    90th
    $218,840

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 251% Median Physicists salary is 151% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physicists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $266,260
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $226,750
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340

    Nearby metros — Physicists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $196,680
    Missouri $180,450
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $165,730

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $81,300
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $80,250
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $82,080
    Chemists $79,220
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $75,200
    Chemical Technicians $48,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Detroit?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Detroit, MI is $90.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $142.68 or more per hour.

    Is Detroit above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Detroit, MI is 13.3% above the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physicists in Detroit?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $67,850 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $108,070.