How much does a physicist make in Detroit?
$199,200a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area. That is $95.75 an hour or $16,600 a month.
- Hourly
- $95.75
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among cities
- 8 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $71,670Median: $199,200Highest 10%: $296,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $71,670 | $34.46 | |
| 25th | $114,300 | $54.93 | |
| Median | $199,200 | $95.75 | |
| 75th | $223,600 | $107.51 | |
| 90th | $296,800 | $142.67 |
Other cities in Michigan
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| Lansing, MI | $71,580 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $64,380 |
Related jobs in Detroit
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Psychologist | $129,400 |
| Materials Scientist | $107,700 |
| Economist | $106,400 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,300 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $104,200 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $91,610 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $88,080 |
| Chemist | $85,770 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 |
| Medical Scientist | $84,310 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Detroit?
The median hourly pay in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $95.75 ($199,200 a year).
Do physicists make more in Detroit than the national average?
Yes: $199,200 against $172,300 nationally, 16% more.
How does Detroit compare with the rest of Michigan?
The median in Michigan is $94,520, so Detroit pays 111% more.
Where does Detroit rank for physicist pay?
8 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Detroit?
The lowest-paid 10% make $71,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $296,800 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.