There are currently an estimated 24,600 physicists in the United States. The physicist job market is expected to grow by 4.0% between 2024 and 2034.

How employable are physicists?

CareerExplorer rates physicists with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 1,000 physicists.

What’s the supply of physicists?

The physicist industry is concentrated in California, Illinois, Maryland

Physicist job market by state

State Name Employed Physicists
California 5,930
Illinois 1,590
Maryland 1,200
Massachusetts 1,150
New York 1,140
Colorado 1,050
Virginia 940
Ohio 630
New Mexico 580
Texas 580
Michigan 510
District of Columbia 480
New Jersey 470
Washington 450
South Carolina 420
Florida 340
Alabama 280
Tennessee 240
Pennsylvania 230
Indiana 230
Wisconsin 180
Georgia 160
North Carolina 150
Arizona 120
Minnesota 110
Iowa 110
Missouri 90
Oregon 90
Mississippi 80
Arkansas 60
Maine 60
Connecticut 60
Nevada 50
Delaware 50
Kentucky 50
Oklahoma 40
Hawaii 40
Louisiana 40
South Dakota 30
Montana 30
New Hampshire 30
Utah 30