Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Physical scientists, all other (SOC 19-2099) employed 22,300 people in May 2025. The median pay is $122,570 a year ($58.93 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $67,000 and the highest-paid 10% more than $195,190. BLS projects its employment to change by +2.1% between 2025 and 2035 (about 1,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($156,730), Minnesota ($147,890), North Dakota ($147,650). Most jobs: California (2,320), Texas (2,310), Maryland (1,810).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| 25th percentile | $86,620 | $41.64 |
| Median | $122,570 | $58.93 |
| Mean | $129,230 | $62.13 |
| 75th percentile | $161,890 | $77.83 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 26,600 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 27,100 |
| Change in jobs | 600 |
| Percent change | +2.1% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 1,400 |
| Self-employed share | 2.7% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 140 | 0.47 | $135,350 | $97,470 | $206,060 | +10% | 10% |
| Alaska | 140 | 2.96 | $120,240 | $83,600 | $171,850 | -2% | 14% |
| Arizona | 170 | 0.38 | $125,270 | $88,610 | $165,400 | +2% | 16% |
| California | 2,320 | 0.89 | $130,610 | $81,360 | $211,150 | +7% | 19% |
| Colorado | 710 | 1.72 | $134,440 | $82,760 | $225,810 | +10% | 16% |
| Connecticut | 370 | 1.51 | $99,990 | $80,080 | $278,160 | -18% | 19% |
| District of Columbia | 790 | 7.88 | $156,730 | $101,400 | $195,190 | +28% | 15% |
| Florida | 340 | 0.24 | $131,690 | $88,610 | $263,640 | +7% | 17% |
| Georgia | 1,020 | 1.46 | $137,680 | $86,790 | $174,730 | +12% | 13% |
| Hawaii | 100 | 1.08 | $112,880 | $69,600 | $169,000 | -8% | 21% |
| Illinois | 580 | 0.66 | $108,970 | $53,140 | $169,480 | -11% | 15% |
| Indiana | 1,240 | 2.70 | $68,670 | $52,600 | $105,510 | -44% | 19% |
| Iowa | 100 | 0.44 | $80,810 | $61,110 | $177,200 | -34% | 15% |
| Kentucky | 260 | 0.92 | $81,260 | $41,370 | $108,410 | -34% | 15% |
| Louisiana | 280 | 1.02 | $94,320 | $68,930 | $161,890 | -23% | 14% |
| Maryland | 1,810 | 4.56 | $141,290 | $76,820 | $195,190 | +15% | 15% |
| Massachusetts | 350 | 0.66 | $138,380 | $74,590 | $195,770 | +13% | 16% |
| Michigan | 130 | 0.21 | $118,870 | $81,540 | $164,380 | -3% | 12% |
| Minnesota | 540 | 1.28 | $147,890 | $64,980 | $223,980 | +21% | 10% |
| Mississippi | 380 | 2.26 | $108,890 | $61,110 | $153,570 | -11% | 11% |
| Montana | 100 | 1.35 | $94,520 | $52,790 | $122,930 | -23% | 15% |
| Nebraska | 40 | 0.27 | $101,440 | $74,670 | $138,360 | -17% | 13% |
| New Hampshire | 210 | 2.19 | $112,370 | $66,850 | $195,190 | -8% | 17% |
| New Jersey | 590 | 0.96 | $109,990 | $57,630 | $182,920 | -10% | 20% |
| New Mexico | 240 | 1.91 | $123,820 | $77,230 | $192,480 | +1% | 11% |
| New York | 1,510 | 1.09 | $117,820 | $67,220 | $175,690 | -4% | 17% |
| North Carolina | 650 | 0.92 | $110,030 | $62,320 | $169,040 | -10% | 15% |
| North Dakota | 70 | 1.16 | $147,650 | $82,840 | $149,650 | +20% | 8% |
| Ohio | 430 | 0.54 | $108,790 | $63,460 | $174,640 | -11% | 12% |
| Oklahoma | 80 | 0.33 | $112,260 | $84,220 | $161,890 | -8% | 11% |
| Oregon | 290 | 1.02 | $109,580 | $72,830 | $147,600 | -11% | 17% |
| Pennsylvania | 460 | 0.53 | $134,780 | $76,440 | $195,190 | +10% | 11% |
| Rhode Island | 70 | 1.02 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | 70 | 0.22 | $141,130 | $88,610 | $187,740 | +15% | 11% |
| Tennessee | 120 | 0.27 | $129,570 | $46,680 | $241,340 | +6% | 12% |
| Texas | 2,310 | 1.15 | $100,920 | $59,170 | $180,460 | -18% | 18% |
| Utah | 250 | 0.99 | $115,920 | $64,390 | $149,430 | -5% | 16% |
| Virginia | 1,450 | 2.46 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | 450 | 0.88 | $133,980 | $94,540 | $195,190 | +9% | 16% |
| Wisconsin | 70 | 0.17 | $97,470 | $63,130 | $161,890 | -20% | 14% |
| Wyoming | 60 | 1.42 | $69,240 | $63,130 | $105,370 | -44% | 17% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 410 | $176,440 | $78,550 | $245,090 | 1.47 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,740 | $170,980 | $95,870 | $263,580 | 6.08 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 340 | $160,580 | $91,150 | $323,840 | 2.09 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 420 | $140,980 | $82,430 | $275,520 | 1.81 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 860 | $139,560 | $76,150 | $190,780 | 0.63 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 930 | $137,680 | $86,790 | $174,730 | 2.25 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 310 | $137,220 | $81,470 | $280,570 | 0.74 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 350 | $137,050 | $74,590 | $201,090 | 0.89 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 820 | $136,160 | $79,280 | $238,310 | 0.91 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 310 | $134,720 | $99,720 | $208,220 | 1.02 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 700 | $133,590 | $73,320 | $280,920 | 1.20 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 370 | $128,380 | $82,350 | $183,540 | 7.46 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 430 | $121,720 | $68,310 | $170,710 | 0.66 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 310 | $117,640 | $65,670 | $193,250 | 2.87 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 570 | $108,160 | $78,130 | $185,450 | 2.92 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 780 | $99,460 | $64,990 | $144,960 | 12.09 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 550 | $91,430 | $49,230 | $157,980 | 1.17 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 560 | $67,000 | $41,540 | $105,510 | 3.51 |
The median is $122,570 a year ($58.93 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $67,000 and the highest-paid tenth over $195,190 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
22,300 in May 2025, and BLS projects +2.1% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $156,730 (among states with published figures).