Physics
Physical Sciences · federal classification: Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,760 | $54,892 to $67,655 | 18 | 94% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +3% (2024 to 2034), about 20,800 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,130 | +3.5% | 10,600 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $161,180 | +3.7% | 8,500 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,390 | +2.6% | 1,000 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $97,450 | +0.7% | 700 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.