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Occupation · SOC 19-2012

Physicists

There are 20,430 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $172,250 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
20,430
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$172,250
Median pay a year
Middle half: $111,720–$222,760
1,300
Annual openings
10-year change: +7.2%
1,255
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+26.9% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 54 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 $171,580 · LCA filings 511,520$171,58051
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $137,140 · LCA filings 1291,510$137,140129
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $181,970 · LCA filings 2311,070$181,970231
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $106,000 · LCA filings 721,060$106,00072
Boulder, COMedian pay $104,580 · LCA filings 8860$104,5808
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $160,270 · LCA filings 49550$160,27049
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $173,450 · LCA filings 69440$173,45069
Albuquerque, NMMedian pay $165,340 · LCA filings 2330$165,3402
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $156,480 · LCA filings 21290$156,48021
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $239,360 · LCA filings 1240$239,3601

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLEmployment 100 · LCA filings 3$272,4801003
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLEmployment 70 · LCA filings 2$266,260702
Cleveland, OHEmployment 240 · LCA filings 1$239,3602401
Pittsburgh, PAEmployment 80 · LCA filings 12$224,1608012
Richmond, VAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 1$218,290401

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
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 23 · Employment 1,070231231,070
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 25 · Employment 1,510129251,510
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 17 · Employment 1,06072171,060
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 11 · Employment 4406911440
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 13 · Employment 1,52051131,520

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 $141,814 · Level III $169,395 · Level IV $196,955$114,254$141,814$169,395$196,955
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $111,155 · Level III $138,674 · Level IV $166,213$83,616$111,155$138,674$166,213
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $149,802 · Level III $190,923 · Level IV $232,024$108,701$149,802$190,923$232,024
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $105,186 · Level III $129,584 · Level IV $154,003$80,766$105,186$129,584$154,003
Boulder, COLevel II $100,672 · Level III $122,907 · Level IV $145,142$78,437$100,672$122,907$145,142
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $131,726 · Level III $165,048 · Level IV $198,370$98,405$131,726$165,048$198,370
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $157,955 · Level III $189,072 · Level IV $220,210$126,818$157,955$189,072$220,210
Albuquerque, NMLevel II $156,166 · Level III $177,070 · Level IV $197,995$135,242$156,166$177,070$197,995
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $124,613 · Level III $159,349 · Level IV $194,106$89,856$124,613$159,349$194,106

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
PhysicsCIP 40.08 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months2,685STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Physics and AstronomyCIP 40.11 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months13STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Engineering PhysicsCIP 14.12 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months225STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Physicists in every metro area

All 54 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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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