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Job outlook for physical scientists in the United States
Physical scientist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected physical scientist job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 3,800 new jobs for physical scientists are projected over the next decade.
Physical scientist salaries have increased 12% for physical scientists in the last 5 years.
There are over 13,248 physical scientists currently employed in the United States.
There are 96,588 active physical scientist job openings in the US.
The average physical scientist salary is $86,538.
Are physical scientist jobs in demand?
Physical scientist job and salary trends over time
Physical scientist jobs over time
Physical scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,248 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 12,824 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,814 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 11,700 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 11,659 | 0.00% |
Average physical scientist salary over time
Physical scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $86,538 | $41.60 | --2.5% |
| 2025 | $88,717 | $42.65 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $86,554 | $41.61 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | $83,939 | $40.36 | +8.2% |
| 2022 | $77,546 | $37.28 | --1.1% |
Physical scientist jobs by state
Most common states for physical scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 176 | 28% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 202 | 23% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 203 | 21% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 120 | 21% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,227 | 20% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 204 | 19% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,487 | 18% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 138 | 18% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 130 | 18% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,082 | 16% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 332 | 16% |
| 12 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 215 | 16% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 546 | 15% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,284 | 14% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 261 | 14% |
| 16 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 257 | 14% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 151 | 14% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 777 | 13% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 93 | 13% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 207 | 12% |
Most common cities for physical scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lemoore | 1 | 4% | $96,174 |
| 2 | New London | 1 | 4% | $81,170 |
| 3 | Huntsville | 5 | 3% | $54,881 |
| 4 | Rock Island | 1 | 3% | $71,633 |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | 1 | 2% | $98,849 |
| 6 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $77,611 |
| 7 | Mountain View | 1 | 1% | $98,964 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $51,176 |
| 9 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $73,913 |
Physical Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of physical scientist experts
Quinnipiac University
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Memphis
Doverspike Consulting/HR LItehouse
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Physical Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
What's a day at work look like for a Physical Scientist?
Chandralekha Singh: 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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Physical Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Chandralekha Singh: The pandemic has impacted students very differently depending upon their circumstances and many students have found themselves in extremely difficult circumstances. I hope the employers take these difficulties into account that many students have faced in order to finish their degrees while hiring. For graduating physics majors, employers may be more flexible with regard to working from home at least a few days per week and if the employees select that option, they may only go to their office on days when they will benefit from meeting in person with other colleagues at work. However, I do not believe most graduating physics majors will have the option to work remotely 100% after the pandemic is over unless they are indispensable due to their unique skills.
What soft skills should all Physical Scientists possess?
Chandralekha Singh: Agility and adaptability are very important since job specifications can change quickly. Recent graduates must enjoy learning new content as well as skills. Soft skills such as the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing are very important for all graduates. Good communication skills can make an employee indispensable particularly if the person has the ability to communicate effectively not only with the team members but also with those with less technical knowledge of relevant issues. Moreover, leadership skills and ability to work effectively with others on a team is extremely important. Always being willing to help the team members in difficult circumstances and making sure the team meets the goals within the allocated time can make an individual a valued member of the team. In addition to technical competence, taking initiative and always being willing to brainstorm with colleagues and think critically about important issues can be valuable. Moreover, self-regulation and time management skills can help greatly. Being caring and empathetic and supportive of colleagues can make the work environment fun and productive.
Daniel Greenwood Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Director, Human Performance CenterThe University of Memphis
College of Health Sciences
What technical skills for a Physical Scientist stand out to employers?
Daniel Greenwood Ph.D.: Given the broader work landscape, the ability to understand your skills and how they translate across contexts is more important than ever. It is adaptability, problem solving, and the fundamental skill to 'get things done' which are valued. The technical skills only get you in the door, the personal skills are the ones that differentiate you from your peers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Physical Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Greenwood Ph.D.: We have shown the ability to do a lot of our work remotely, which opens opportunities to communicate, collaborate and contribute with much broader groups than before. Location is no longer a barrier, allowing people to flow across industries, roles and specialties, sharing and adapting their expertise to the challenges posed, rather than being stuck in a prescribed and defined 'box'.
What's a good job out of college for Physical Scientists?
Daniel Greenwood Ph.D.: I believe that working in an area or role that you are passionate about will allow you to scale higher heights in the end. Your ideal first job should involve good mentors and opportunities to 'try a few things' to help you find your niche within a very broad and evolving industry. The people you work with has more impact than the place you work at in you first role.
What type of skills will young Physical Scientists need?
Dennis Doverspike Ph.D.: Seemingly a paradox, there will continue to be a need for very general, but highly fungible, skills and demand for too specialized skills, requiring advanced education. Coding, statistics, and data analysis related skills will remain a hot growth area. The aging of the baby boomers will create demand for medical and healthcare-related regions, especially nursing, nursing aides, and emergency services. Despite the automation of many people facing jobs, there will continue to be a demand for interpersonal and people skills, including various types of sales. The switch to remote work, due to COVID, will create a substantial future market to fill the leadership and managerial skills gap. In many areas of Technology and engineering, it is already challenging to find a combination of technical knowledge and people skills, and this demand will intensify.