Life, Physical, and Social Science
Physical Scientists, All Other
22/100
Jobs.best score
#259 of 825
$122,570
median pay, U.S.
22,300
employed (2024)
+0.6%
growth, 2024–34
2,000
openings per year
Bachelor's degree
typical entry education
Is physical scientists, all other a good career?
It scores 22/100 and ranks #259 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($122,570 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+0.6%)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What physical scientists, all other earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. physical scientists, all other earn between $86,620 and $161,890 a year.
$67,000
P10
$86,620
P25
$122,570
MEDIAN
$161,890
P75
$195,190
P90
Best-paying states
same axis · ranked by median
District of Columbia statewide
$156,730
Minnesota statewide
$147,890
North Dakota statewide
$147,650
Maryland statewide
$141,290
South Carolina statewide
$141,130
Massachusetts statewide
$138,380
Georgia statewide
$137,680
Alabama statewide
$135,350
Pennsylvania statewide
$134,780
Colorado statewide
$134,440
$60k $150k $240k
Best-paying metros
Live physical scientists, all other jobs
United States Fleet Forces CommandVerified from company ATS
LEAD PHYSICAL SCIENTIST
$102,415–$133,142/yr View job →
Department of the Air Force HeadquartersVerified from company ATS
Physical Scientist
$74,678–$192,331/yr View job →
Air Force Civilian Career TrainingVerified from company ATS
PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (ENVIRONMENTAL)
$49,960–$99,314/yr View job →
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationVerified from company ATS
Physical Scientist/Hydrologist/Meteorologist
$106,437–$161,313/yr View job →
How to become a physical scientists, all other
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Requirements from the Employment Projections program. This occupation has no Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
Related occupations
Bachelor's degree · $82,220 median
Bachelor's degree · $91,240 median
Bachelor's degree · $101,920 median
Questions about becoming a physical scientists, all other
How much do physical scientists, all other make?
The national median wage is $122,570 a year, with the middle half earning between $86,620 and $161,890 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is physical scientists, all other a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 22 of 100 and ranks #259 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +0.6% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a physical scientists, all other?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do physical scientists, all other earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($156,730). Local pay for every state and metro is below.
U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsWages: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Projections: BLS EP 2024–34
Sources: OEWS-M2025 · EP-2024-34. How we score careers →
See where this ranks — Best paying jobs in science