There are currently an estimated 17,900 physicists in the United States. The physicist job market is expected to grow by 14.5% between 2016 and 2026.
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 8,200 physicists. That number is based on 2,600 additional physicists, and the retirement of 5,600 existing physicists.
What’s the supply of physicists?
The physicist industry is concentrated in California, New Mexico, Maryland
Physicist job market by state
| State Name | Employed Physicists |
|---|---|
| California | 2,920 |
| New Mexico | 1,720 |
| Maryland | 1,260 |
| New York | 990 |
| Colorado | 960 |
| Illinois | 930 |
| Virginia | 820 |
| Texas | 650 |
| District of Columbia | 610 |
| Michigan | 580 |
| New Jersey | 470 |
| Washington | 460 |
| Ohio | 460 |
| North Carolina | 440 |
| Tennessee | 390 |
| Massachusetts | 330 |
| Florida | 280 |
| Wisconsin | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | 240 |
| Indiana | 230 |
| Alabama | 200 |
| South Carolina | 190 |
| Minnesota | 170 |
| New Hampshire | 110 |
| Connecticut | 110 |
| Idaho | 90 |
| Georgia | 70 |
| Utah | 60 |
| Missouri | 60 |
| Arizona | 60 |
| Oklahoma | 50 |
| Oregon | 50 |
| Hawaii | 50 |
| Vermont | 50 |
| Maine | 40 |
| Iowa | 30 |