Back to Majors Explorer
Physical Sciences Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Physical Sciences but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Physical Sciences but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Physical Sciences majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
Back to Majors Explorer
Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Physical Sciences majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Physical Sciences majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 66,800 |
| 5 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 52,200 |
| 5 | Physical Therapists | 49,400 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Secondary School Teachers | 66,800 |
| 3 | Chemists and Materials Scientists | 54,300 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 146,000 |
| 3 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 58,000 |
| 2 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 102,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 52,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Physical Sciences majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Physical Sciences majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 7 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 129,000 |
| 4 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 147,000 |
| 4 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 132,000 |
| 3 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 60,100 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 125,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 248,000 |
| 2 | Insurance Sales Agents | 164,000 |
| 2 | Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers | 269,000 |
| 2 | Compliance Officers, Except Agriculture | 133,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Physical Sciences majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Physical Sciences majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 161,000 |
| 7 | Postsecondary Teachers | 84,300 |
| 6 | Physicians and Surgeons | 225,000 |
| 4 | Secondary School Teachers | 85,100 |
| 3 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 74,800 |
| 3 | Bus and Ambulance Drivers and Attendants | 71,800 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 253,000 |
| 3 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Medical and Health Services Managers | 165,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 92,800 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Physical Sciences majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Physical Sciences majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Elementary and secondary schools | 57,400 |
| 7 | Colleges and universities | 59,300 |
| 6 | Health services, n.e.c. | 39,500 |
| 6 | Hospitals | 58,000 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Computer and data processing services | 102,000 |
| 3 | Banking | 58,000 |
| 3 | Miscellaneous entertainment and recreation services | 61,800 |
| 3 | Real estate, including real estate-insurance offices | 42,200 |
| 2 | Drugs | 67,900 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Physical Sciences majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Physical Sciences majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Elementary and secondary schools | 76,700 |
| 6 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 6 | Computer and data processing services | 159,000 |
| 5 | Colleges and universities | 84,300 |
| 5 | All construction | 50,600 |
| 4 | Insurance | 125,000 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 106,000 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 131,000 |
| 3 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 162,000 |
| 2 | Air transportation | 236,000 |
Back to Majors Explorer
