Physicsat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $50,219/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $544K; scenarios range from $507K to $551K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
Attending a program with Berkeley's global reputation in physics opens doors to elite research institutions and cutting-edge tech firms, particularly within the robust Bay Area ecosystem of national labs and innovative startups. This prestige, combined with the rigorous curriculum, explains the strong career outcomes for graduates who pursue advanced research or management roles. While some paths lead to teaching, the highest earners often leverage their analytical prowess in specialized R&D within industries like semiconductors, aerospace, or finance. The "Very High" AI risk underscores the need to specialize; many analytical roles physics grads take could be impacted. To thrive, you'll want to focus on developing unique expertise in experimental design, advanced computational methods, or interdisciplinary applications that AI cannot easily replicate.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Physics
How UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at UC Berkeley
What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at University of California-Berkeley?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Physics programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Physics at University of California-Berkeley?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.