Mathematics and Physics

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of mathematicians is expected to grow by 11 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations, through 2033. Demand will be supported by the need to analyze the growing stores of data being amassed by businesses as more consumers use mobile devices and social media. However, because mathematics is a relatively small field, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) notes that only 2,500 new jobs will be created in the coming 10 years.

Those who study related disciplines, such as statistics, engineering, computer science, or other types of applied mathematics, will find more opportunities in areas like computer programming, operations research, and engineering design. Mathematicians may also find employment in industry and government. Statisticians, specifically, are expected to experience employment growth of 12 percent through 2033, thanks to demand for analyses in areas such as public policy, business, and healthcare.

According to the DOL, the outlook in physics employment is faster than average, with opportunities predicted to grow by 7 percent through 2033. Federal support of physics research is expected to be relatively flat in the coming decade, however, which will temper employment growth. Like mathematics, physics also is a smaller field. Between 2023 and 2033, approximately 1,500 new jobs will be created. Competition is strong for math and physics research jobs in colleges and universities and other centers of research.

During the mid-to-late 2020s, the field of mathematics was a gateway to careers in a multitude of different fields, providing seemingly endless opportunities. “In a world increasingly driven by data and innovation, mathematics emerges as the bedrock upon which countless industries and advancements thrive,” the SciTech Institute explained in a March 2024 article. “Its applications span far and wide, offering a multitude of career avenues for those fascinated by numbers and intrigued by problem-solving.” The institute noted that opportunities existed in areas such as education and outreach, engineering and applied sciences, academia and research, finance and banking, and technology and data science.

A physics education is good preparation for jobs in information technology, semiconductor technology, and other applied sciences, but job titles are likely to be something other than physicist. In 2024, TimesPro listed research scientist as the leading job for physics majors, followed by data scientist, and software developer. Rounding out the top 10 were engineer, quantitative analyst, physics teacher or lecturer, medical physicist, patent examiner, geophysicist, and technical writer.