# Physicists

> Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicists
- SOC code: 19-2012.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $172,250 (10th percentile $82,110, 90th percentile $274,110)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +7.2%
- Openings a year: 1,300
- Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 66 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 29 |
| Social (S) | 19 |
| Enterprising (E) | 13 |
| Conventional (C) | 63 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 98/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 97/100)
- Processing Information (importance 92/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 92/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 92/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 91/100)
- Getting Information (importance 90/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 83/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 78/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Science, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Active Listening, Learning Strategies

## Knowledge

Physics, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, English Language, Education and Training, Chemistry, Design, Mechanical, Communications and Media

## Also called

Aerophysicist, Astrophysicist, Atmospheric Physicist, Biophysics Scientist, Cloud Physicist, Computational Physicist, Condensed Matter Physicist, Diagnostic Medical Physicist, Electrodynamicist, Experimental Physicist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Physics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4008) (CIP 4008, 956 colleges)
- [Public Health](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5122) (CIP 5122, 836 colleges)
- [Astronomy and Astrophysics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4002) (CIP 4002, 164 colleges)
- [Engineering Physics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1412) (CIP 1412, 145 colleges)
- Physics and Astronomy (CIP 4011, 5 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Physics | not reported | $131,025 | not reported |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Physics | not reported | $118,649 | $10,000 |
| [University of Notre Dame-South Bend IN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-notre-dame-south-bend-in-3005) | Physics | not reported | $110,029 | $15,500 |
| [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-main-campus-2990) | Physics | $66,284 | $103,477 | $14,067 |
| [Oregon State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/oregon-state-university-2035) | Physics | $38,558 | $103,167 | $18,250 |
| [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-main-campus-2927) | Engineering Physics | $64,071 | $102,211 | $20,500 |
| [Whitworth University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/whitworth-university-3260) | Physics | not reported | $99,842 | not reported |
| [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegesref.com/college/college-of-the-holy-cross-626) | Physics | not reported | $99,165 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Mathematicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematicians): $126,710 median pay
- [Astronomers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/astronomers): $128,820 median pay
- [Physics Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physics-teachers-postsecondary): $100,310 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Biochemists and Biophysicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biochemists-and-biophysicists): $127,410 median pay
- [Chemists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemists): $91,240 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.