How To Become A Physical Scientist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a physical scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Chandralekha Singh

Physical scientists are professionals who specialize in sciences that do not deal with living organisms. These can include physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology. They focus on physical properties and energy. They may work in academic settings, private industry, or research organizations and teams with engineers and scientists from different disciplines.

A physical scientist needs to have excellent analytical, math, and computer skills. Written and Oral communication skills are important, as a physical scientist must report findings to others through reports and possibly lectures.

A physical scientist may also work closely with members of a research team and write grant proposals for research funding.

Educational requirements include a bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, chemistry, physics, or a similar discipline. A master's degree or a doctoral might be required for advanced research positions or for teaching jobs at colleges and universities.

The average salary for a physical scientist is $31.25 an hour, which is equivalent to $64,990 annually. The career is in demand and is likely to experience growth in the coming years.

What's a day at work look like for a physical scientist?

Chandralekha Singh

Professor, University of Pittsburgh

It is possible that a recent graduate in physics will work from home several days a week when they do not necessarily benefit from in person interactions with colleagues. However, on days when in person meetings would be beneficial, they will have to go to the office. Other than that, the environment will depend tremendously on the job and company. Students who have internship opportunities will find the transition to a work environment to be much smoother than a graduate who has no prior experience working outside academia. It's important to be prepared for adjustments-there are likely to be pros and cons to life in the "real world". Having a positive attitude can be invaluable.

ScorePhysical ScientistUS Average

Salary

6.8

Avg. Salary $86,538

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.12%

Asian 27.88%

Black or African American 3.71%

Hispanic or Latino 8.44%

Unknown 5.41%

White 54.45%

Gender

female 31.68%

male 68.32%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Key steps to become a physical scientist

Explore physical scientist education requirements

Most common physical scientist degrees

Bachelor's

70.5 %

Master's

18.2 %

Associate

5.8 %

Start to develop specific physical scientist skills

Skills	Percentages
Chemistry	23.40%
Environmental Compliance	19.90%
DOD	15.63%
Hazardous Waste	15.35%
Research Projects	5.74%

Research physical scientist duties and responsibilities

Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Devise numerous processing and data visualization tools for analysis and assessment of multi-beam data quality.
Validate personnel work supporting DoD mapping / charting programs.
Represent the USAPHC in departmental and interagency workgroups and committees.

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