19-2012

Physicists

Role Overview

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. Excludes “Biochemists and Biophysicists” (19-1021).

Recommended Majors

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

Related Careers

Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Agricultural and Food Scientists Agricultural Technicians Animal Scientists Anthropologists and Archeologists Astronomers

Salary by State (top paying)

State	Median salary
Minnesota	$222,550
Florida	$209,020
Pennsylvania	$208,470
Arizona	$190,960
Oregon	$183,860
California	$180,900
Missouri	$180,450
New Hampshire	$179,440
New Mexico	$175,960
New York	$174,160
Wisconsin	$174,010
Tennessee	$173,660
Connecticut	$171,630
North Carolina	$170,690
Texas	$170,450

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for this career?

Projected growth and annual openings are from BLS Employment Projections. Use the sidebar for median salary and growth rate.

How does salary vary by state?

See the Salary by State table above for state-level median wages from OEWS data.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), BLS Employment Projections.

Median Annual Salary

$166,290

Projected Growth (10yr)

+4.0%

Avg. annual openings

1.7k

Market Insight

Explore salary and growth data to understand demand and earning potential for this role.