Physicists - Conduct research into the phases of physical phenomena, develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply laws and theories to industry and other fields.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $112,020 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $53.86.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $112,020 | ||
| National Hourly | $53.86 | ||
| Statewide Annual | - | - | - |
| Statewide Hourly | - | - | - |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Farmington Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Eastern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Northern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Southwestern Annual | $78,587 | $108,052 | $122,784 |
| Hourly | $37.78 | $51.95 | $59.03 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 300 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will decrease by about -2 percent and an estmated 290 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is declining. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 0 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 300 | 290 | -0.24% | 0 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | - | - | - | - |
| Farmington | - | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces | 50 | 50 | -0.39% | 0 |
| Santa Fe | - | - | - | - |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | - | - | - | - |
| Eastern | - | - | - | - |
| Northern | - | - | - | - |
| Southwestern | 60 | 60 | 0.00% | 0 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Physicists usually need Post-Doctoral Training.
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 29% |
| Doctoral Degree | 23% |
| Master's Degree | 22% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 18% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3% |
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 1% |
| Some College Courses | 1% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Central New Mexico Community College | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Mon | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/montoya/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Sou | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/svc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wes | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/westside/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wo | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/wtc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + New Mexico State University main campus(NMSU) | ||
| Website:http://www.nmsu.edu | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Physics, General | |
| Doctor's Degrees | Physics, General | |
| Master's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + NM Institute of Mining & Technology (NMIMT) | ||
| Website:http://www.nmt.edu | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Physics, General | |
| Doctor's Degrees | Physics, General | |
| Master's Degree | Physics, General | |
| + University of New Mexico Main Campus-UNM | ||
| Website:http://www.unm.edu | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Astrophysics | |
| Doctor's Degrees | Optics/Optical Sciences | |
| Master's Degree | Optics/Optical Sciences | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Physics, General | |
| Doctor's Degrees | Physics, General | |
| Master's Degree | Physics, General | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
No New Mexico occupational license is required.
No WorkKeys scores are available for this particular occupation.
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | * |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | * |
| Educational Services | * |
| Hospitals | * |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 57.4% |
| Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job | 0.7% |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
- Aerodynamicist
- Aerophysicist
- Astrophysicist
- Atmospheric Physicist
- Atomic Spectroscopist
- Biophysics Scientist
- Cloud Physicist
- Electro Optical Engineer
- Electrodynamicist
- Electronics, Consultant
- Electronics, Scientist
- Engineer, Electro-Optical
- Experimental Physicist
- Fluid Dynamicist
- Health Physicist
- Health Physicist, Radiation Control
- Laser Engineer
- Mass Spectroscopist
- Mathematical Physicist
- Medical Physicist
- Molecular Physicist
- Molecular Spectroscopist
- Nuclear Physicist
- Nuclear Scientist
- Nuclear Spectroscopist
- Optical Instrument Specialist
- Physical Aerodynamicist
- Physicist
- Physicist, Theoretical
- Physics Professor
- Radiation Protection Technician
- Research Consultant
- Research Physicist
- Research Professor
- Research Scientist
- Rheologist
- Rocket Scientist
- Scientist
- Space Physicist
- Thermodynamic Physicist
- Thermodynamicist
- Weapons Designer
- Weapons Engineer