There are currently an estimated 21,100 physicists in the United States. The physicist job market is expected to grow by 4.7% between 2022 and 2032.
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 4,400 physicists. That number is based on 1,000 additional physicists, and the retirement of 3,400 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 |
| Arizona | 60 |
| Utah | 60 |
| Missouri | 60 |
| Oklahoma | 50 |
| Oregon | 50 |
| Hawaii | 50 |
| Vermont | 50 |
| Maine | 40 |
| Iowa | 30 |