Physicists
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Also called: Biophysics Scientist · Health Physicist · Medical Physicist · Physicist · Research Consultant · Research Physicist
Median pay (national)
$166,290
$80,020–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
21,340
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4%
~1,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for physicists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $80,020 at the bottom 10% — 3.0x. The median of $166,290 leaves roughly 44% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 40 states with released data, Minnesota pays the most for this role (median $222,550, +34% vs the national median), while South Dakota sits lowest at $78,390 — a 184% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Science, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Eclipse IDE, Python as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- Teach physics to students.
- Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- Write research proposals to receive funding.
- 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.
- Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Eclipse IDE
- Python
- Adobe Photoshop
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C
- C++
- Extensible markup language XML
- Git
- JavaScript
- Linux
- Microsoft Azure software
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Microsoft Windows
Knowledge areas
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- Administration and Management