Occupation · SOC 19-2012
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 wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
583 mapped
Core skills
ScienceReading ComprehensionMathematicsSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingActive ListeningActive LearningLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisProgrammingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringTime ManagementPersuasionOperations AnalysisService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationTechnology DesignNegotiationQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingEquipment SelectionOperation and ControlInstallationRepairingEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
PhysicsMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingChemistryAdministration and ManagementCommunications and MediaDesignProduction and ProcessingAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalEconomics and AccountingPsychologyTelecommunicationsSales and MarketingBiologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologySociology and AnthropologyTransportationBuilding and ConstructionGeographyHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe AuditionAdobe PhotoshopAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareAptech Systems GAUSSAutodesk AutoCADCC++CERN Physics Analysis Workstation PAWCERN ROOTCOMSOL MultiphysicsCanuCriss Software XRF11Database application softwareDose modeling softwareEclipse IDEEnterprise resource planning ERP systemExperimental Physics and Industrial Control System EPICSExtensible markup language XMLFormula translation/translator FORTRANGNU Image Manipulation Program GIMPGNU OctaveGitGnuplotJavaScriptLenox Softworks VideoPointLinuxMaplesoft MapleMathsoft MathcadMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Azure softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft Visual J++Microsoft Visual StudioMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMySQL
Representative tasks
Analyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersGetting InformationProcessing InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDocumenting/Recording InformationThinking CreativelyCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsTraining and Teaching OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Standard experimental apparatus (optics tables, vacuum systems, cryostats) — set up under a postdoc's direction in a research lab.Data-acquisition software and oscilloscopes — operate per a defined SOP on assigned experiments.Numerical methods (Python, MATLAB, Mathematica) — implement standard routines for data reduction.Lab notebooks and instrument logs — maintain with timestamps and provenance for group review.Radiation- and laser-safety procedures — follow consistently in regulated lab environments.Component machining drawings — read and dimension correctly for shop submission.Routine error analysis and uncertainty propagation — carry through assigned datasets.Literature searches and reference managers — produce annotated bibliographies on graduate topics.Standard simulation tools (LTspice, Geant4, COMSOL) — run validation cases under supervision.Group-meeting presentations on weekly progress — deliver clearly to a research advisor.
developing
Independent experimental setups — design and commission within a senior investigator's program.Custom electronics and FPGA timing — specify, build, and integrate into a measurement chain.Statistical modeling and Bayesian inference — apply to noisy datasets with reproducible code.Beamtime and facility proposals — prepare and execute at synchrotron or accelerator facilities.First-author publications in disciplinary journals — produce on focused projects.Cryogenic and high-vacuum systems — maintain and troubleshoot during a multi-month run.Project schedules across parallel measurements — manage in coordination with shared facilities.Junior students and undergraduates — train on instrumentation and analysis basics.Conference talks (APS, IEEE, optical societies) — present at regional and topical meetings.Standards (calibrations, traceability, metadata) — maintain across recurring experiments.
proficient
Independent research programs — lead from hypothesis through publication at an academic or national-lab group.Major instrumentation builds — design and commission with shop, vendor, and collaborator coordination.Theoretical and computational models — derive, simulate, and benchmark against experimental data.Federal grants and lab-directed funding — author and win as a principal investigator.Cross-institutional collaborations — lead working groups within experimental consortia.Doctoral students and postdocs — advise on dissertation work and independent research arcs.Top-tier journal manuscripts — lead through revision in PRL, Nature-family, and equivalent venues.Disciplinary norms (peer review, ethics, data sharing) — steward through service to societies.Industry partnerships and licensing discussions — contribute to technology-transfer outcomes.Scientific advisory and review panels — serve at agency, lab, and journal level.
advanced
Major research initiatives and facility builds — conceive and shepherd through agency review at multi-year scale.Departments or division-scale programs — lead with hiring, mentorship, and strategic-plan responsibility.Scientific roadmaps (decadal surveys, Snowmass-style) — contribute as a recognized field leader.Doctoral and postdoctoral career pipelines — build and sustain across cohorts.Disciplinary policy and funding strategy — advise government agencies and congressional staff.International collaborations and consortia — represent the program at governance level.Major awards and recognitions — receive in keeping with sustained, field-shaping contribution.Industry–academia bridges and translational platforms — architect with sustained outcomes.Scientific publishing and society leadership — hold editorial and presidential roles.Legacy of citizens and scholars in physics — develop through training programs and outreach.
Also known as
39 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AerodynamicistAerophysicistAstrophysicistAtmospheric PhysicistAtomic SpectroscopistBiophysics ScientistCloud PhysicistComputational PhysicistCondensed Matter PhysicistDiagnostic Medical PhysicistElectrodynamicistExperimental PhysicistFluid DynamicistHealth PhysicistMass SpectroscopistMathematical PhysicistMedical PhysicistMolecular PhysicistMolecular SpectroscopistNuclear PhysicistNuclear ScientistNuclear SpectroscopistOptical ScientistPhysical AerodynamicistPhysicistPlasma PhysicistQuantum PhysicistRadiation Control Health PhysicistRadiation PhysicistResearch ConsultantResearch PhysicistResearch ScientistRheologistRocket ScientistScientistSpace PhysicistTheoretical PhysicistThermodynamic PhysicistThermodynamicist