SOC 19-2000
Physical Scientists
Risk Score
⚠️33/100
Moderate
US Employment
👥259,000
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$93K
$54K – $169K
Projected Growth
📈+3.8%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖35/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Physical Scientists face a risk score of 33/100 — 11 points below the national average of 44. With only 35/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $93K ($46K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 33/100, Physical Scientists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 259,000 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in collaborative scientific discourse and peer review and designing novel experiments and research methodologies to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Physical Scientists?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
AI-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition
Automated laboratory instrumentation and workflows
AI literature review and meta-analysis automation
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review
Designing novel experiments and research methodologies
Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise
Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 65% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers | 21 | $93K | 84% |
| Political Scientists | 25 | $139K | 76% |