Best degree programs for Physical Scientists, All Other, ranked by enrollment
3 college programs and 172 schools train Physical Scientists, All Other. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $122,570 median wage, 22,300 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
3 college programs at 172 schools train physical scientists, all other, graduating 4,066 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Natural Sciences. The job pays a median of $122,570 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About physical scientists, all other
All physical scientists not listed separately.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
3 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 30.1801 | 2,973 | 73.1% | 112 | $29,587 | $21,610 |
| 2 | CIP 30.3201 | 624 | 15.3% | 39 | $27,337 | $22,400 |
| 3 | Physical Sciences, Othermain feeder CIP 40.9999 | 469 | 11.5% | 29 | $47,513 | $24,000 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 491 | Natural Sciences | 30% | — | — |
| 2 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 320 | Natural Sciences | 55% | — | 99% |
| 3 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 193 | Natural Sciences | 16% | — | — |
| 4 | Chandler - Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 176 | Natural Sciences | 30% | — | — |
| 5 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 155 | Physical Sciences, Other | 41% | — | — |
| 6 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 146 | Natural Sciences | 16% | — | — |
| 7 | Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 143 | Natural Sciences | 32% | — | — |
| 8 | California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 115 | Marine Sciences | 59% | — | 97% |
| 9 | Daemen University Amherst, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 105 | Natural Sciences | 59% | $16,826 | 68% |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 99 | Physical Sciences, Other | 94% | $11,888 | 6% |
| 11 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · 1 feeder programs | 77 | Marine Sciences | 55% | — | 97% |
| 12 | Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HI Public · 1 feeder programs | 73 | Natural Sciences | 22% | — | — |
| 13 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 64 | Natural Sciences | 53% | — | 91% |
| 14 | Paradise Valley Community College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 57 | Natural Sciences | 19% | — | — |
| 15 | Leeward Community College Pearl City, HI Public · 1 feeder programs | 56 | Natural Sciences | 35% | — | — |
| 16 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 55 | Natural Sciences | 14% | — | — |
| 17 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 53 | Marine Sciences | 57% | — | 63% |
| 18 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 53 | Natural Sciences | 79% | $36,488 | 45% |
| 19 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 52 | Natural Sciences | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 20 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 49 | Natural Sciences | 88% | $29,023 | 9% |
| 21 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Public · 1 feeder programs | 49 | Physical Sciences, Other | 64% | — | 69% |
| 22 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · 1 feeder programs | 48 | Natural Sciences | 71% | — | 82% |
| 23 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR Public · 1 feeder programs | 48 | Natural Sciences | 50% | — | 55% |
| 24 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · 2 feeder programs | 46 | Natural Sciences | 83% | — | 60% |
| 25 | University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PR Public · 1 feeder programs | 39 | Natural Sciences | 50% | — | 53% |
| 26 | Logan University Chesterfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 35 | Natural Sciences | 22% | $17,906 | 64% |
| 27 | South Mountain Community College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 33 | Natural Sciences | 16% | — | — |
| 28 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 33 | Marine Sciences | 86% | — | 42% |
| 29 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Natural Sciences | 17% | — | — |
| 30 | Xavier University Cincinnati, OH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 32 | Natural Sciences | 69% | $31,119 | 86% |
| 31 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Marine Sciences | 91% | — | 24% |
| 32 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · 2 feeder programs | 30 | Natural Sciences | 75% | — | 80% |
| 33 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Natural Sciences | 86% | $25,823 | 44% |
| 34 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA Public · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Natural Sciences | 15% | — | — |
| 35 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Marine Sciences | 86% | — | 31% |
| 36 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Natural Sciences | 98% | $15,013 | 4% |
| 37 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 24 | Natural Sciences | 67% | — | 89% |
| 38 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 24 | Marine Sciences | 65% | — | 93% |
| 39 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 23 | Physical Sciences, Other | 85% | — | 42% |
| 40 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Public · 2 feeder programs | 23 | Natural Sciences | 38% | — | — |
| 41 | Massasoit Community College Brockton, MA Public · 1 feeder programs | 22 | Natural Sciences | 19% | — | — |
| 42 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 22 | Physical Sciences, Other | 56% | — | 89% |
| 43 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 21 | Marine Sciences | 76% | — | 49% |
| 44 | University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului, HI Public · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Natural Sciences | 28% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Physical Sciences, Other | 66% | — | 80% |
| 46 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Physical Sciences, Other | 86% | — | 55% |
| 47 | College of the Mainland Texas City, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Natural Sciences | 31% | — | — |
| 48 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 2 feeder programs | 19 | Marine Sciences | 88% | — | 61% |
| 49 | University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Public · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Marine Sciences | 53% | — | 71% |
| 50 | Windward Community College Kaneohe, HI Public · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Natural Sciences | 31% | — | — |
What physical scientists, all other earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $100,920 | 2,310 | 1.15× | 11 | 905 |
| Arizona | $125,270 | 170 | 0.38× | 13 | 872 |
| New York | $117,820 | 1,510 | 1.09× | 11 | 370 |
| California | $130,610 | 2,320 | 0.89× | 15 | 358 |
| Hawaii | $112,880 | 100 | 1.08× | 10 | 205 |
| Florida | $131,690 | 340 | 0.24× | 7 | 122 |
| Massachusetts | $138,380 | 350 | 0.66× | 8 | 117 |
| Marylandlimited | $141,290 | 1,810 | 4.56× | 2 | 109 |
| Alabamalimited | $135,350 | 140 | 0.47× | 2 | 68 |
| North Carolina | $110,030 | 650 | 0.92× | 5 | 64 |
| Ohio | $108,790 | 430 | 0.54× | 5 | 64 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,780 | 460 | 0.53× | 6 | 53 |
| Virginiamoderate | — | 1,450 | 2.46× | 4 | 52 |
| Alaskalimited | $120,240 | 140 | 2.96× | 2 | 30 |
| Coloradomoderate | $134,440 | 710 | 1.72× | 4 | 30 |
| Louisianalimited | $94,320 | 280 | 1.02× | 1 | 27 |
| Washingtonlimited | $133,980 | 450 | 0.88× | 1 | 24 |
| Georgia | $137,680 | 1,020 | 1.46× | 5 | 22 |
| Illinoismoderate | $108,970 | 580 | 0.66× | 4 | 22 |
| Wyomingmoderate | $69,240 | 60 | 1.42× | 3 | 22 |
| Oregonlimited | $109,580 | 290 | 1.02× | 1 | 18 |
| New Jerseymoderate | $109,990 | 590 | 0.96× | 3 | 14 |
| Minnesotamoderate | $147,890 | 540 | 1.28× | 4 | 11 |
| Oklahomamoderate | $112,260 | 80 | 0.33× | 4 | 11 |
| Michiganlimited | $118,870 | 130 | 0.21× | 1 | 7 |
| Nebraskalimited | $101,440 | 40 | 0.27× | 1 | 6 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | — | 70 | 1.02× | 1 | 5 |
| Tennesseelimited | $129,570 | 120 | 0.27× | 1 | 5 |
| Indianalimited | $68,670 | 1,240 | 2.70× | 1 | 4 |
| New Mexicolimited | $123,820 | 240 | 1.91× | 1 | 3 |
| District of Columbialimited | $156,730 | 790 | 7.88× | 1 | 2 |
| Wisconsinlimited | $97,470 | 70 | 0.17× | 1 | 2 |
| Connecticutlimited | $99,990 | 370 | 1.51× | 1 | 1 |
| Iowalimited | $80,810 | 100 | 0.44× | 1 | 1 |
| Kentuckylimited | $81,260 | 260 | 0.92× | 1 | 1 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
- Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
- Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
- Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
- Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
- Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
- Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Science3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Mathematics3.8
- Monitoring3.4
Knowledge areas
- Geography4.8
- Computers and Electronics4.2
- Mathematics4.2
- Engineering and Technology3.9
- English Language3.7
- Physics3.5
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning4.3
- Inductive Reasoning4.3
- Oral Expression4.0
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Near Vision4.0
- Problem Sensitivity4.0
Core activities
- Working with Computers4.8
- Processing Information4.6
- Analyzing Data or Information4.6
- Getting Information4.5
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.3
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others4.3
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Physical Scientist, All Other
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 3 majors mapped to Physical Scientists, All Other3 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 30.1801Natural Sciences
- 30.3201Marine Sciences
- 40.9999Physical Sciences, Other
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Physical Scientist, All Other?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Natural Sciences, which awarded 2,973 degrees in 2024-25, 73.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Physical Scientist, All Other?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 3 programs to this occupation. The largest are Natural Sciences, Marine Sciences, Physical Sciences. Together they graduate about 4,066 people a year.
How much do physical scientists, all other earn?+
The median is $122,570 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $67,000 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for physical scientists, all other growing?+
BLS projects a +0.6% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 2,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
172 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 3 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do physical scientists, all other work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Image Scientist, Remote Sensing Analyst, Remote Sensing Scientist, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-2099.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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