Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Physicists
SOC: 19-2012 O*NET: 19-2012.00
Median Salary
$166,290
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
What does a Physicists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$80,020
10th percentile
Early Career
$117,450
25th percentile
Median
$166,290
50th percentile
Experienced
$210,260
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$80,020
25th
$117,450
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$166,290
Mean: $166,000
75th
$210,260
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$80,020 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $117,450 and $210,260
- •Salary spread is 55.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 21,340 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:24,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services52.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services52.8%
Scientific Research and Development Services47%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4%
Annual Openings:1,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)24,600
Current
2034 (Projected)25,600
+4%
+1,000
Employment Change
+4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Physicists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 40 locations
California
6,220 jobs$180,9002.49x
Illinois
1,660 jobs$131,2601.97x
Maryland
1,420 jobs$163,9503.72x
Virginia
1,260 jobs$164,1802.24x
New York
1,190 jobs$174,1600.90x
Colorado
1,120 jobs$144,6702.81x
New Mexico
770 jobs$175,9606.48x
Ohio
710 jobs$135,5500.93x
Texas
700 jobs$170,4500.37x
Massachusetts
570 jobs$153,8901.14x
District of Columbia
570 jobs$153,3405.85x
Michigan
550 jobs$107,6400.91x
Pennsylvania
540 jobs$208,4700.65x
Washington
430 jobs$120,0800.87x
South Carolina
370 jobs$131,1001.18x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Science
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Mathematics
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Active Listening
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Learning Strategies
40%
Skills Overview
Science
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Mathematics
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Science
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Astronomers82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Biochemists and Biophysicists82%
5 shared skills
Molecular and Cellular Biologists82%
5 shared skills
Statisticians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Active Listening
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Science
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mathematics
- ★Speaking
- ★Science
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Physicists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
The MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechPuppet
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMySQL
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechEclipse IDE
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Azure software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Puppet
Amazon Web Services AWS software
Microsoft Access
MySQL
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
C
Eclipse IDE
Microsoft Azure software
Microsoft Visual Basic
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
10
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (4)Planning & Development (3)Training & Development (1)
1
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Teach physics to students.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Write research proposals to receive funding.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •70% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Physicists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Physicists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value recognition
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Physicists
Innovation
CriticalInnovation
Importance Level4.50
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.49
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.47
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.38
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.33
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.18
Complete Work Styles Profile
Innovation
4.5
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Independence
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Dependability
3.8
Cooperation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Physicists.
Browse Training Programs →