Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Physical scientists, all other, work across a variety of specialized scientific areas that do not fall into more narrowly defined science occupations. This role combines scientific knowledge with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Nationally, the occupation has a median annual salary of $117,960 with about 32,000 employed, indicating a sizable professional community. Projected employment growth of 0.6% and 2,000 annual openings suggest that opportunities continue to emerge through a mix of new positions and turnover. The work draws heavily on skills in science, mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and computers and information technology, supported by strong communication abilities. Leadership, project management, and creativity also play important roles, creating a multifaceted career path that can appeal to both technically focused and management-oriented professionals. For people who enjoy applying scientific reasoning, working with data, and making informed decisions, this occupation offers a solid blend of intellectual challenge and long-term career potential.
Physical scientists, all other, earn a national median annual salary of $117,960, reflecting strong overall earning potential. Within this occupation, pay levels vary across states and metro areas. Among the highlighted states, median salaries range from $117,820 in New York to $138,380 in Massachusetts, with California, Colorado, and Washington also offering six-figure medians. At the metro level, typical pay can be even higher: the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area reports a median salary of $170,980, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara stands at $160,580 and New York-Newark-Jersey City at $139,560. These figures show that location choice can significantly influence earnings. Combining this salary profile with the occupation’s emphasis on science, mathematics, technology, and leadership skills, there is considerable potential for professionals to build financially rewarding careers, especially in select high-opportunity metros and states.
Physical scientists, all other, have national employment of about 32,000 and projected employment growth of 0.6%. This growth rate, while modest, indicates that the field is expected to expand slightly rather than contract. With approximately 2,000 annual openings, there is a steady flow of opportunities, likely reflecting a combination of new positions and replacement of workers who change jobs or leave the labor force. The consistent 0.6% growth rate that appears across the top states and metro areas suggests a relatively stable outlook in multiple regions. For students and job seekers, this means that while the field is not undergoing rapid expansion, it offers ongoing prospects for entry and advancement over time. For experienced professionals, the presence of yearly openings supports the possibility of career movement, whether to new employers, regions, or specialized roles within the broader category of physical scientists.
Location can play a major role in shaping opportunities for physical scientists, all other. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington stand out with relatively high CareerGPS opportunity scores, all above 56. California leads in state-level employment with 2,320 positions and offers a median salary of $130,610, while Massachusetts has the highest listed state median salary at $138,380. New York combines a median salary of $117,820 with employment of 1,510, and Colorado and Washington also feature six-figure median salaries with mid-range employment levels. At the metro level, several areas show particularly strong combinations of salaries and opportunity scores. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City both post opportunity scores above 77, with median salaries of $160,580 and $139,560 respectively. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria stands out for both high employment (2,740) and a median salary of $170,980. Boston-Cambridge-Newton and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also provide strong salary and opportunity profiles, giving job seekers multiple regional choices.
The typical education requirement for physical scientists, all other, is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education supports the broad and technical skill set associated with the occupation. Core capabilities include science and mathematics, which underpin the analytical work common in physical science fields. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, are central to interpreting information and choosing effective approaches. Computers and information technology skills are also important, suggesting that professionals in this role often engage with digital tools and data. Strong writing and reading, plus speaking and listening, help with documenting findings and collaborating with colleagues. Project management and leadership abilities indicate that many roles may involve coordinating work, organizing activities, and guiding teams or initiatives. Creativity and innovation round out the profile, making this occupation appealing to those who want to apply scientific knowledge in original and forward-looking ways once they have completed a bachelor’s-level education.
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