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Physicists
conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Physicists
Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and More
Table of Contents
In this career summary, you will find out what the job of a Physicist is about and what it is like.
After reading this, you will have a good idea on what the job is about and decide if this is the right career for you.
Job description
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Become one
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Read moreSalary
Physicists with little to no experience tend to make between $59300 and $85090 while the more experienced ones can earn over $158350 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| OK | $79 | $164,190 |
| MN | $75 | $155,140 |
| WI | $72 | $150,670 |
| MA | $72 | $150,170 |
| NM | $72 | $149,910 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Physicist is to move to a higher paying state like OK. Right now, the highest paying states for Physicists are OK, MN, WI, MA and NM.
However a higher pay at OK doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at OK might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Physicist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other Physicists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Post-Doctoral Training followed by a PhD.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| Engineering Physics/Applied Physics |
| Astrophysics |
| Physics, General |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics |
| Elementary Particle Physics |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Physicist.
| PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally |
| Suitable for people who wants recognition and wants career advancement and a prestigious career |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| One of the highest paid careers in the world |
| CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others |
| It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career. |
| Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week) |
What is the job like
77% of Physicists said they were satisfied with their job and 79% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
How we can help
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study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists. | Salary $107800 |
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measure, record, or evaluate geological data, using sonic, electronic, electrical, seismic, or gravity-measuring instruments to prospect for oil or gas. May collect or evaluate core samples or cuttings. | Salary $62890 |
manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules. | Salary $63150 |
Learn more about Physicists
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