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Science

Physicists

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

Median salary (BLS)

$172,250

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$82k – $274k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Physicists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Master's degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$64,000–$230,000

Time to qualify

6 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    Master's degree

    Degree

    Typically two years; average graduate tuition ≈ $20,000/yr at public universities (NCES).

    $24,000–$80,000 · 2 years source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Physicists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Physicists Intern

    Internship

    $41,055

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Physicists

    Entry / Junior

    $82,110

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Physicists

    Established

    $172,250

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Physicists

    Senior

    $223,180

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
  • •Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
  • •Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
  • •Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
  • •Write research proposals to receive funding.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.