Physical Scientists, All Other
Also called: Inventor, Physical Scientist, Research Scientist, Wood Technologist
All physical scientists not listed separately.
What physical scientists, all other do
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Physical Scientists, All Other salary
The median annual wage for physical scientists, all other is $122,570 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $67,000 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $195,190. The mean annual wage is $129,230.
The mean hourly wage of $62.00 is 8.6× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Physical Scientists, All Other (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $122,570 → in 3 years $134,000 → in 5 years $142,200 → in 10 years $165,000 (10-year range $141,900–$191,600). The model assumes pay growth of +3.0% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Physical Scientists, All Other
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Physical Scientists, All Other? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Physical Scientists, All Other
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Physical Scientists, All Other
How to become physical scientists, all other
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as physical scientists, all other
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.