Life, Physical, and Social Science
Physical Scientists, All Other
All physical scientists not listed separately.
Also called: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Remote Sensing Analyst, Remote Sensing Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist
- Median pay in Greater Boston
- $137,050
- $65.89/hr
- Jobs in Greater Boston
- 350
- Massachusetts 2024–2034
- +1.2%
- 30 openings a year
- Typical U.S. entry requirement
- Bachelor's degree
Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.
Pay range in Greater Boston
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $74,590 | $103,710 | $137,050 | $158,650 | $201,090 |
10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.
AI and this job
AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.
Higher exposure74 of 100
The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:
- AIOE 78
- Language-model AIOE 72
- GPTs-are-GPTs 71
Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)
This category covers physical scientists whose jobs are not listed separately, so tasks vary a lot. AI exposure is higher, and observed AI use is still modest. Tools may help with data analysis and writing up results, while designing studies and judging what results mean stay with the scientist.
Likely to change
- Analyzing data with software tools
- Drafting reports and summarizing research
Still relies on people
- Deciding which questions to study
- Judging results and explaining them to others
Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.
Next steps from here
Related jobs that build on what you already do.
Industrial Production Managers
Testing and quality-checking skills carry over to setting product standards. This role pays a $153,210 Boston median and has lower AI exposure.
- Pay difference
- +$16,160 median
- AI exposure
- Moderate
- MA growth
- +2.3%
- To get started
- Bachelor's degree
Training near Boston
College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).
2 programs near Boston (plus 2 graduate)
Harvard University (school website, opens in a new tab)
Cambridge, MA · 3.2 mi from City Hall
Natural Sciences · Bachelor's degree
46 completed in 2023-24
Boston College (school website, opens in a new tab)
Chestnut Hill, MA · 5.9 mi from City Hall
Natural Sciences · Bachelor's degree
2 completed in 2023-24
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