Physical Scientists

4 in 10 atmospheric scientists work for the Federal Government, the largest employer of these workers.
A bachelor's degree in meteorology, or in a closely related field with courses in meteorology, is the minimum educational requirement; a master's degree is necessary for some positions, and a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is required for most basic research positions.
Job opportunities are expected to be better in private industry than in the Federal Government; opportunities in broadcasting, however, are rare and highly competitive.

A bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related discipline is the minimum educational requirement; however, many research jobs require a master's degree, or more often a Ph.D.
Slower-than-average growth in employment is projected.
Job growth will be concentrated in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies and in professional, scientific, and technical services firms.
Graduates with a bachelor's degree will have opportunities at smaller research organizations; those with a master's degree, and particularly those with a Ph.D., will enjoy better opportunities at larger pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms.

Environmental scientists and hydrologists often split their work between offices, laboratories, and field sites.
Federal, State, and local governments employ over half of all environmental scientists and hydrologists.
Although a bachelor's degree in an earth science is adequate for a few entry-level jobs, employers increasingly prefer a master's degree; a Ph.D. degree is required for most high-level research or college teaching positions.
The strongest job growth should be in private-sector consulting firms.

Work at remote field sites is common.
Federal, State, and local governments employ 24 percent of all geoscientists.
A master's degree is usually the minimum educational requirement; a Ph.D. degree is required for most high-level research and college teaching positions.
Although employment of geoscientists is expected to grow more slowly than average, good job opportunities are expected in most areas of geoscience.

Scientific research and development services firms and the Federal Government employ 3 out of 5 physicists and astronomers.
Most jobs are in basic research and development, usually requiring a doctoral degree; master's degree holders qualify for many jobs in applied research and development, while bachelor's degree holders often qualify as technicians, research assistants, or other types of jobs.
Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average.
Competition for jobs is expected; however, graduates with a physics or astronomy degree at any level will find their knowledge of science and mathematics useful for entry to many other occupations.

Fatalities

2004 Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and event or exposure

Occupation	Fatalities: Event or exposure
Occupation	Total	Tran.	Viol.	Cont.	Falls	Expo.	Fires
Physical scientists	4	-	-	-	-	-	-

source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Program; about this section

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