Physicists
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Physicists: Conduct research into the phases of physical phenomena, develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply laws and theories to industry and other fields.
Physicists and astronomers held about 16,000 jobs in 2004. Jobs for astronomers accounted for only 5 percent of the total. About 33 percent of physicists and astronomers worked for scientific research and development services firms. The Federal Government employed 25 percent, mostly in the U.S. Department of Defense, but also in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and in the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Energy. Other physicists and astronomers worked in colleges and universities in nonfaculty, usually research, positions, or for State governments, information technology companies, pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies, or electronic equipment manufacturers.
In 2004, many physicists and astronomers held faculty positions in colleges and universities. (See the statement on teachers—postsecondary elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Although physicists and astronomers are employed in all parts of the country, most work in areas in which universities, large research and development laboratories, or observatories are located.
Median annual earnings of physicists were $87,450 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $66,590 and $109,420. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $132,780.
Median annual earnings of astronomers were $97,320 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $66,190 and $120,350, the lowest 10 percent less than $43,410, and the highest 10 percent more than $137,860.
According to a 2005 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, the average annual starting salary offer to physics doctoral degree candidates was $56,070.
The American Institute of Physics reported a median annual salary of $104,000 in 2004 for its full-time members with Ph.D.'s (excluding those in postdoctoral positions); the median was $94,000 for those with master's degrees and $72,000 for bachelor's degree holders. Those working in temporary postdoctoral positions earned significantly less.
The average annual salary for physicists employed by the Federal Government was $104,917 in 2005; for astronomy and space scientists, it was $110,195.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicists and Astronomers)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Physicists | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Utilities employment: 300 mean earnings: $78,990 (EC) (def) (IG) | $54,200 | $62,880 | $74,470 | $93,980 | $112,690 |
| Utilities employment: 300 mean earnings: $78,990 | $54,200 | $62,880 | $74,470 | $93,980 | $112,690 |
| Manufacturing employment: 1,170 mean earnings: $93,090 (EC) (def) (IG) | $57,270 | $74,120 | $92,100 | $112,980 | $134,620 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 430 mean earnings: $92,760 | $62,270 | $76,830 | $91,990 | $110,820 | $129,300 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 70 mean earnings: $58,760 | $29,560 | $35,240 | $61,950 | $72,560 | $92,100 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 560 mean earnings: $96,250 | $60,030 | $78,450 | $95,280 | $115,030 | $136,460 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 6,500 mean earnings: $94,000 (EC) (def) (IG) | $54,250 | $71,460 | $91,650 | $113,130 | $137,720 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 6,500 mean earnings: $94,000 | $54,250 | $71,460 | $91,650 | $113,130 | $137,720 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 430 mean earnings: $66,260 (EC) (def) (IG) | $47,940 | $50,910 | $55,870 | $76,270 | $99,340 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 420 mean earnings: $65,910 | $47,920 | $50,860 | $55,770 | $75,490 | $98,460 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,030 mean earnings: $65,200 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,940 | $43,480 | $57,650 | $82,180 | $106,730 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,030 mean earnings: $65,200 | $37,940 | $43,480 | $57,650 | $82,180 | $106,730 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 1,070 mean earnings: $119,690 (EC) (def) (IG) | $72,800 | $91,900 | $113,020 | $142,590 | >$145K |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 270 mean earnings: $131,240 | $88,170 | $100,990 | $115,230 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Hospitals employment: 800 mean earnings: $115,870 | $67,200 | $87,420 | $111,840 | $139,640 | >$145K |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 3,530 mean earnings: $97,360 (def) (IG) | $61,810 | $77,620 | $97,700 | $116,340 | $136,420 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 3,530 mean earnings: $97,360 | $61,810 | $77,620 | $97,700 | $116,340 | $136,420 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.