Side-by-Side Comparison
Physicists leads 4–0| Metric | Physicists | Mathematicians |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 29.3% | 37.0% |
| Risk Tier | Medium Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 35th | 72th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 6 / 15 | 6 / 11 |
| Median Salary | $166,290 | $121,680 |
| Employment | 21K | 2K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Physics
Science
Speech Clarity
ProgrammingAI-Vulnerable
Oral Expression
Far Vision
InstructingAI-Resistant
Visualization
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Learning Strategies
Oral Comprehension
Speaking
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Physicists
34%
total discount
Mathematicians
29%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Physicists
6 of 15 at risk76%Direct testing and monitoring of contamination of radioactive equipment, and recording of personnel and plant area radiation exposure data.
53%Write research proposals to receive funding.
53%Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
52%Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
51%Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
Mathematicians
6 of 11 at risk87%Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
54%Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.
52%Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
51%Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
51%Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.
Wage Comparison
Mathematicians earns -$44,610(-27%) vs Physicists
PhysicistsMathematicians
10th
$80,020$63,430
25th
$117,450$85,720
Median
$166,290$121,680
75th
$210,260$153,340
90th
$239,200$187,660
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Physicists2028–2035
Mathematicians2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Physicists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Mathematicians.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Physicists
$117,534
from $166,290
Mathematicians
$76,658
from $121,680
After adjusting for AI risk, Physicists offers $40,875 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Physicists
0
Unique to Mathematicians
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Regulatory Barriers
PhysicistsMathematicians