Life & Physical Science

Physicists

SOC 19-2012

Explore the fundamental laws of matter, energy, and the universe.

Median pay

$172k

$112k to $223k typical range

Outlook

Growing fast

2k openings / yr

Education

Doctoral

AI displacement risk

Very high

How much of this job AI may do instead of the person · our model, not a benchmark

Works with AI

0/100

AI alongside the person rather than instead of them

AI exposure

81st pct

More exposed than 81% of occupations · modeled estimate · 77th pct in Microsoft's data

Future-proof

76/100

Key skills

Science
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Listening

Where this ranks

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Pay and outlook from BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2024-2034). Skills and work activities from O*NET 30.3. AI exposure and future-proof scores are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.