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Job outlook for occupational physicians in the United States
Are occupational physician jobs in demand?
Occupational physician job and salary trends over time
Occupational physician jobs over time
Occupational physician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 91 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 319 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,028 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 939 | 0.00% |
Average occupational physician salary over time
Occupational physician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $211,324 | $101.60 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $206,193 | $99.13 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $202,714 | $97.46 | --5.0% |
| 2022 | $213,309 | $102.55 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $208,799 | $100.38 | +4.7% |
Occupational physician jobs by state
Most common states for occupational physicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 230 | 26% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 157 | 25% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 318 | 24% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 158 | 21% |
| 5 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 372 | 18% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 128 | 17% |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 850 | 15% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 142 | 14% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 698 | 13% |
| 10 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 583 | 12% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 784 | 11% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 758 | 11% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 460 | 11% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 343 | 11% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 310 | 11% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 212 | 11% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 64 | 11% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 735 | 10% |
| 19 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 682 | 10% |
| 20 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 185 | 10% |
Occupational Physician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of occupational physician experts
Marshall University
The University of Akron
Washburn University
What Occupational Physician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Colclough: This is a great question, and if I wish I had the answer. I do know this however, performers need to have a skill set that can subsidize their careers. The restaurant/bar industry, more than any other has answered this call. Unfortunately Covid-19 has impacted the restaurant/bar industry more than any other. So challenging on so many levels. What to do? Practical skills that correlate to an individual's unique interests seem like a good place to start. How can the performer utilize known skills to garner a paycheck? Everything from handyman/construction for those who excelled in their technical theatre classes, to personal assistants for those who have a flair for logistics could offer avenues for success if developed. With technology taking more of a central role in the industry, it's possible to enhance those skills during a gap year-this may not help with your monthly bottom line (financially speaking) but would make you better prepared once the year is over. Gap years are a perfect time to hone those skills that need a bit of TLC, for instance: dance classes, voice classes, picking up a second language or a musical instrument-anything that might add another skill set to the resume is worth the time and effort.
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Physician?
John Colclough: Be patient and stay informed. Many performers think their career is about the work in the rehearsal hall or in performance-not so, the real work is in the management of your business. Being an authority of WHO, WHAT and WHERE is key. WHO are the players in your market? The directors, actors, casting people, producing organizations, etc...these are who you need to know-your network. WHAT opportunities exist in your market? The theatres, video companies, universities (if you have an MFA you may be able to teach a class or two), Improvisation groups, any opportunity that allows you to grow your brand is worth your attention. And finally, WHERE are the opportunities-knowing your community and having a sense of how each company fits into the fabric of the community. Having a sense of where the company resides both geographically and virtually (web sites) and having a solid knowledge base of details of each company can inform your marketing tactics as well as provide you with specific details unique to each organization. Careers develop over time and keeping expectations realistic over the first year can be challenging. Be practical and methodical in your approach: save money (there's never enough), find a place to live (the best you can afford), find a side hustle (you're going to need money and routine), find out the lay of the land (WHO, WHAT, and WHERE), develop your skill set (take a class and meet colleagues), go to productions, screenings, workshops, document your growth (keep a journal or calendar to track your progress), celebrate your successes and be patient with your stumbles-Hard knocks are the best teachers!
What skills stand out on Occupational Physician resumes?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: Generally, employers like to see "hands-on" skills for graduates. So, lab-based classes, internships, volunteer work (e.g., in hospitals or other health care settings), and experience in research labs look great on resumes. Because biology is such a diverse field, I cannot point to specific skills for the entire range of biology. Generally, however, having good writing skills will almost certainly be helpful for any biology career.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Occupational Physicians to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: I do not know the answer to this question. Healthcare is the fastest growing job market in biology, and such jobs are located primarily in larger metropolitan areas across the country.
What are the best companies to work for an Occupational Physician?
Brian Thomas Ph.D.: A degree in physics can open doors to working at companies in a variety of industries. Research and development teams at aerospace, computer, software, telecommunications, and other technical-focused companies employ people with degrees in physics at all levels. People trained in physics also work in other areas, including journalism, finance, even the entertainment industry. I don't know that I can recommend any specific companies, but generally, any company focused on technical solutions will likely be a good fit.