Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Physicists
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Table of contents
What they do
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Direct testing and monitoring of contamination of radioactive equipment, and recording of personnel and plant area radiation exposure data.
- Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Physicists direct testing and monitoring of contamination of radioactive equipment, and recording of personnel and plant area radiation exposure data. They develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.
- Develop manufacturing, assembly, and fabrication processes of lasers, masers, infrared, and other light-emitting and light-sensitive devices.
- Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
- Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Physicists also conduct application evaluations and analyze results to determine commercial, industrial, scientific, medical, military, or other uses for electro-optical devices. They may also collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Physicists design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood. They might also teach physics to students.
In addition, they observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.
To some Physicists, it is also their responsibility to describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
77% said they were satisfied with their job and 79% said they found their job meaningful.
Being a physicist is surprisingly fun, given how many taxi drivers and people sitting next to me on the airplane have said, “You’re a physics professor? I hated that class!” Yes, I acknowledge that taking a class in physics can be a miserable experience. But actually getting to be a physicist is a whole different ballgame. It’s really interesting and fun!
On a typical day, I have to read what other physicists have done in terms of recent experiments that are similar to the ones my research team and I are trying to do. Then, I have to see what roadblocks stand in the way of our experiments and try to solve them. If I was a theoretical physicist, I would still have roadblocks, but they would be with solving math problems not with solving experimental design problems.
After trying to solve the roadblocks, I have to write some of the grant proposals that I’m working on to get money to do more experiments. Then I need to teach a class, which is my favorite part of being a physicist, and the reason I’m a physics professor instead of a different kind of physicist. Finally, I have to get on a Zoom call and give a 50-minute research talk to physicists at another university so that they can understand the results of the paper my team and are writing but haven’t yet published.
Pros
One of the pros of being a physicist is that you get to figure out things (and sometimes solve problems) that involve the most basic parts of the material universe. I’m a biophysicist, so I get to figure out basic parts of the living universe. Other physicists figure out astronomy, particles, solid materials, etc.
Another pro about my job is that I get to start companies that can more directly help people. For example, I recently worked with a startup company that helps people find the best fitting college using big data. That doesn’t sound like a very physic-y basis for a company, but since analyzing data is one of the things we physicists love to do, it actually was a good fit for my skills.
Cons
One of the cons of being a physicist is that we don’t get to interact with people the way some other jobs do. For example, a doctor gets to see patients all day long and interact with other health care professionals. My typical day has me interacting with my rather small research team and teaching in front of a classroom, but I don’t get to hear people’s stories and interact with people in a deeply personal way.
Jed Macosko
Prof. of Physics
Wake Forest Univerisity
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who want 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 like to help and teach others.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Physicists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $67,450 to $95,020 per year or $32 to $46 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $208,000+ | $100+ |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $170,810 | $82 |
| Median | $129,850 | $62 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $95,020 | $46 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $67,450 | $32 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Physicists based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $198760 | $95.56 |
| Offices of Physicians | $192790 | $92.69 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $183820 | $88.37 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $170340 | $81.89 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $150310 | $72.26 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $144680 | $69.56 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $138820 | $66.74 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $133420 | $64.14 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $133340 | $64.11 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $132070 | $63.49 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Physicists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Physicists including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 5310 | $150310 | $72.26 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 3130 | $125580 | $60.38 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2790 | $100130 | $48.14 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 1260 | $183820 | $88.37 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 730 | $138820 | $66.74 |
| Offices of Physicians | 480 | $192790 | $92.69 |
| State Government | 370 | $78600 | $37.79 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 330 | $133340 | $64.11 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 290 | $132070 | $63.49 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 190 | $198760 | $95.56 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Health/Medical Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
Acoustics
Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Optics/Optical Sciences
Nuclear Physics
Plasma and High-Temperature Physics
Elementary Particle Physics
Atomic/Molecular Physics
Physics
Astrophysics
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend 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.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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