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Physics Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Physics but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Physics 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 Physics majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Physics 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 Physics majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 117,000 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 91,600 |
| 4 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 81,000 |
| 4 | Engineers, nec | 94,200 |
| 3 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 2 | Computer Programmers | 79,400 |
| 2 | Secondary School Teachers | 49,300 |
| 2 | Other Teachers and Instructors | 17,100 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 54,000 |
| 2 | Physical Scientists, nec | 70,500 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Physics 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 Physics majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 152,000 |
| 7 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 147,000 |
| 6 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 5 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 127,000 |
| 3 | Engineers, nec | 154,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 253,000 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 58,000 |
| 3 | Computer Programmers | 124,000 |
| 2 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 50,200 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 168,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Physics 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 Physics majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Postsecondary Teachers | 114,000 |
| 10 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 165,000 |
| 7 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 200,000 |
| 7 | Physical Scientists, nec | 152,000 |
| 5 | Engineers, nec | 169,000 |
| 4 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 158,000 |
| 3 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Physicians and Surgeons | 387,000 |
| 3 | Astronomers and Physicists | 169,000 |
| 2 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 281,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Physics majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Physics majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Colleges and universities | 62,000 |
| 11 | Computer and data processing services | 104,000 |
| 9 | Research, development, and testing services | 86,800 |
| 5 | Elementary and secondary schools | 56,900 |
| 4 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 94,400 |
| 4 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 118,000 |
| 3 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 82,500 |
| 2 | Management and public relations services | 105,000 |
| 2 | Security, commodity brokerage, and investment companies | 147,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Physics majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Physics majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Colleges and universities | 112,000 |
| 11 | Computer and data processing services | 172,000 |
| 6 | Research, development, and testing services | 170,000 |
| 6 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 183,000 |
| 4 | Elementary and secondary schools | 75,400 |
| 4 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 162,000 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 188,000 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 138,000 |
| 2 | Security, commodity brokerage, and investment companies | 234,000 |
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