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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Physicists

Median Salary
155,680
Job Outlook
+6%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of physicists and astronomers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings for physicists and astronomers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$88,720

10%

$155,680

Median

$201,600

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Doctoral degree

    49%

  • Post-doctoral training

    39%

  • Post-master's certificate

    8%

  • Bachelor's degree

    3%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Physics, General
  • Health/Medical Physics
  • Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
  • Astrophysics
  • Optics/Optical Sciences
  • Physics, Other
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Nuclear Physics
  • Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
  • Atomic/Molecular Physics
  • Acoustics
  • Elementary Particle Physics
  • Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Responsibility

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.