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Occupation · SOC 19-2099

Physical Scientists, All Other

There are 22,300 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $122,570 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
22,300
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$122,570
Median pay a year
Middle half: $86,620–$161,890
1,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.1%
118
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 68 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $170,980 · LCA filings 92,740$170,9809
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $137,680 · LCA filings 0930$137,6800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $139,560 · LCA filings 2860$139,5602
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $136,160 · LCA filings 19820$136,16019
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYMedian pay $99,460 · LCA filings 0780$99,4600
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $133,590 · LCA filings 1700$133,5901
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $108,160 · LCA filings 2570$108,1602
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $67,000 · LCA filings 0560$67,0000
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $91,430 · LCA filings 2550$91,4302
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $121,720 · LCA filings 1430$121,7201

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Providence–Warwick, RI–MAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$180,470700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 410 · LCA filings 0$176,4404100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 2,740 · LCA filings 9$170,9802,7409
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 340 · LCA filings 7$160,5803407
Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, FLEmployment 80 · LCA filings 1$157,710801

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 820195820
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 2,740922,740
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 34072340
Pittsburgh, PAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 14071140
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 35052350

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $137,904 · Level III $166,629 · Level IV $195,354$109,179$137,904$166,629$195,354
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $113,859 · Level III $134,680 · Level IV $155,501$93,038$113,859$134,680$155,501
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $112,507 · Level III $135,346 · Level IV $158,184$89,669$112,507$135,346$158,184
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $113,963 · Level III $143,125 · Level IV $172,286$84,802$113,963$143,125$172,286
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYLevel II $84,656 · Level III $101,379 · Level IV $118,102$67,933$84,656$101,379$118,102
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $117,541 · Level III $151,694 · Level IV $185,869$83,366$117,541$151,694$185,869
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $98,176 · Level III $120,910 · Level IV $143,666$75,421$98,176$120,910$143,666
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $61,422 · Level III $73,382 · Level IV $85,363$49,442$61,422$73,382$85,363
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $76,274 · Level III $97,885 · Level IV $119,475$54,683$76,274$97,885$119,475
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $99,570 · Level III $121,368 · Level IV $143,166$77,771$99,570$121,368$143,166
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $138,944 · Level III $176,987 · Level IV $215,051$100,880$138,944$176,987$215,051
Pittsburgh, PALevel II $113,651 · Level III $134,202 · Level IV $154,731$93,122$113,651$134,202$154,731
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $112,008 · Level III $137,550 · Level IV $163,072$86,486$112,008$137,550$163,072

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Physical Sciences, OtherCIP 40.99STEM OPT · up to 36 months60STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,304STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Materials SciencesCIP 40.10STEM OPT · up to 36 months248STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Physical Scientists, All Other in every metro area

All 68 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology