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Physicists in Colorado

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Physicists in Colorado

Considering working as a Physicists in Colorado? Below are the key facts. Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. Excludes “Biochemists and Biophysicists” (19-1021).

What do Physicists Make in Colorado?

For a physicists working in Colorado, the typical annual salary is $144,670 per year (or roughly $69.55/hour).Earnings range from $109,250 at the 10th percentile to $191,880 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $109,250 $52.53
25th percentile $144,670 $69.55
Median (50th) $144,670 $69.55
75th percentile $183,170 $88.06
90th percentile $191,880 $92.25
Salary ranges for Physicists in Colorado

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Colorado compared to the national average — is 2.81, indicating that physicists are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, physicists earn a median of $111,776 per year ($53.74/hour), exceeding the Colorado median.

Physicists earnings in Colorado vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 109,390 physicists in the U.S.. In Colorado alone, around 1,120 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 240 physicists.

Physicists in Colorado vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Physicists

Top Colorado Metros for Physicists

The largest metro-area employers of physicists in Colorado.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Boulder, CO 890 $144,670
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 160 $151,660

Top States for Physicists Employment

These states have the highest employment of physicists work.

State Number Employed
California 6,220
Illinois 1,660
Maryland 1,420
Virginia 1,260
New York 1,190
Colorado 1,120
New Mexico 770
Ohio 710
Texas 700
District of Columbia 570
Massachusetts 570
Michigan 550
Pennsylvania 540
Washington 430
South Carolina 370
Alabama 360
New Jersey 320
Tennessee 260
Florida 240
Wisconsin 220

Highest-Paying States for Physicists

Where physicists earn the most: physicists.

State Annual Median Salary
Minnesota $222,550
Florida $209,020
Pennsylvania $208,470
Arizona $190,960
Oregon $183,860
California $180,900
Missouri $180,450
New Hampshire $179,440
New Mexico $175,960
New York $174,160

Skills

Top physicists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Science  4.6 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.2 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.2 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.1 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.1 / 5
0
5
Writing  4.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Physics  4.9 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.8 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  4.5 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  4.4 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.7 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for physicists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mathematical Reasoning  4.8 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.2 / 5
0
5
Number Facility  4.2 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.1 / 5
0
5
Fluency of Ideas  4.1 / 5
0
5
Originality  4.1 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, physicists typically:

  • Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
  • Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
  • Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
  • Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
  • Write research proposals to receive funding.
  • Teach physics to students.
  • Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
  • Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
  • Develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.
  • Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.

Work Activities

  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Processing Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: Eclipse IDE

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

  • Public Health

Related occupations to physicists include:

Also Known As

Aerodynamicist, Aerophysicist, Astrophysicist, Atmospheric Physicist, Atomic Spectroscopist, Biophysics Scientist, Cloud Physicist, Computational Physicist, Condensed Matter Physicist, Diagnostic Medical Physicist, Electrodynamicist, Experimental Physicist, Fluid Dynamicist, Health Physicist, Mass Spectroscopist.

References

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