Jobs Similar to Physicists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to physicists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Astronomers, Mathematicians and Computer and Information Research Scientists.
Physicists: $172,250 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Physicists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AstronomersSame group | 83% | $128,820−25% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Mathematicians | 81% | $126,710−26% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | 80% | $140,300−19% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Bioinformatics Scientists | 79% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersSame group | 79% | $101,920−41% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | 79% | $127,410−26% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Materials ScientistsSame group | 78% | $117,790−32% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Nanosystems Engineers | 78% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Atmospheric and Space ScientistsSame group | 78% | $99,070−42% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Remote Sensing Scientists and TechnologistsSame group | 78% | $122,570Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Bioinformatics Technicians | 78% | $81,490Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | 78% | $109,370−37% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Automotive Engineers | 77% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Microsystems Engineers | 77% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | HydrologistsSame group | 77% | $96,600−44% | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 77% | $161,740−6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Data Scientists | 76% | $120,230−30% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Industrial EcologistsSame group | 76% | $82,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Chemical Engineers | 75% | $125,040−27% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Materials Engineers | 75% | $112,860−34% | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Astronomers
83% similar · $128,820 (−25%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Mathematicians
81% similar · $126,710 (−26%) · Graduate degree
- 3Computer and Information Research Scientists
80% similar · $140,300 (−19%) · Graduate degree
- 4Bioinformatics Scientists
79% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 5Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
79% similar · $101,920 (−41%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Biochemists and Biophysicists
79% similar · $127,410 (−26%) · Graduate degree
- 7Materials Scientists
78% similar · $117,790 (−32%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Nanosystems Engineers
78% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 9Atmospheric and Space Scientists
78% similar · $99,070 (−42%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
78% similar · $122,570 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Bioinformatics Technicians
78% similar · $81,490 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 12Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
78% similar · $109,370 (−37%) · Bachelor's degree
- 13Automotive Engineers
77% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Microsystems Engineers
77% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 15Hydrologists
77% similar · $96,600 (−44%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Computer Hardware Engineers
77% similar · $161,740 (−6%) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Data Scientists
76% similar · $120,230 (−30%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Industrial Ecologists
76% similar · $82,220 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Chemical Engineers
75% similar · $125,040 (−27%) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Materials Engineers
75% similar · $112,860 (−34%) · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers79% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Materials Scientists78% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists78% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists78% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Bioinformatics Technicians78% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers78% similar · Bachelor's degree
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for physicists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where physicists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Mathematicians (91)
- Biochemists and Biophysicists (86)
- Computer and Information Research Scientists (80)
- Bioinformatics Scientists (79)
- Nanosystems Engineers (78)
- Microsystems Engineers (77)
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary (76)
- Statisticians (75)
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (73)
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists (73)
Questions about jobs like physicists
What jobs are most similar to physicists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Astronomers (83% similar), Mathematicians (81% similar), Computer and Information Research Scientists (80% similar), Bioinformatics Scientists (79% similar) and Geoscientists (Except Hydrologists and Geographers) (79% similar).
Do jobs like physicists pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than physicists where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.