Physicists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$172,250
United States, 2025
Employment
20,430
United States, 2025
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Job Zone 5
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
- O*NET code
- 19-2012.00
- Job zone
- 5
- Experience required
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Typical tasks
- Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
- 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.
- Write research proposals to receive funding.
- Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$82,110
25th percentile
$111,720
75th percentile
$222,760
90th percentile
$274,110
Most important skills
- Science4.9
- Critical Thinking4.6
- Active Learning4.5
- Reading Comprehension4.5
- Speaking4.5
- Mathematics4.5
- Complex Problem Solving4.4
- Writing4.4
- Active Listening4.1
- Learning Strategies4.0
- Instructing3.9
- Programming3.8
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 20 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
20
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science | 4.9 | 5.9 | Not selected | 5.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.5 | 5.9 | Not selected | 5.9 |
| Mathematics | 4.5 | 5.9 | Not selected | 5.9 |
| Active Learning | 4.5 | 5.8 | Not selected | 5.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.6 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Speaking | 4.5 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.4 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Writing | 4.4 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.0 | 5.1 | Not selected | 5.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Instructing | 3.9 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Programming | 3.8 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.6 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.5 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
Supplemental
National median $66,120
Compare with PhysicistsSupplemental
National median $140,300
Compare with PhysicistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | $272,480 | 100 | 2025 |
| Tampa, FL | $266,260 | 70 | 2025 |
| Cleveland, OH | $239,360 | 240 | 2025 |
| Nashville, TN | $236,920 | — | 2025 |
| FL | $225,390 | 340 | 2025 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $224,160 | 80 | 2025 |
| Richmond, VA | $218,290 | 40 | 2025 |
| NH | $214,030 | 30 | 2025 |
| PA | $210,990 | 230 | 2025 |
| CA | $207,490 | 5,930 | 2025 |
| OR | $200,320 | 90 | 2025 |
| OK | $200,050 | 40 | 2025 |
| Houston, TX | $199,770 | 140 | 2025 |
| Detroit, MI | $199,170 | 140 | 2025 |
| San Antonio, TX | $194,290 | 100 | 2025 |
| TX | $184,040 | 580 | 2025 |
| NY | $181,970 | 1,140 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $181,970 | 1,070 | 2025 |
| KY | $180,910 | 50 | 2025 |
| CT | $180,300 | 60 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Physicists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.