What Does it Take to Be a Physicist?
Example of Physicist Job Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Physicist Responsibilities
- Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
- Develop standards of permissible concentrations of radioisotopes in liquids and gases.
- Advise authorities of procedures to be followed in radiation incidents or hazards, and assist in civil defense planning.
- Conduct application evaluations and analyze results to determine commercial, industrial, scientific, medical, military, or other uses for electro-optical devices.
- Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.
- 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.
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Physicist Required Skills
These are the skills Physicists say are the most useful in their careers:
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Physicist Job Titles
- Mathematical Physicist
- Molecular Spectroscopist
- Physics Professor
- Weapons Engineer
- Radiation Control Health Physicist
Are There Job Opportunities for Physicists?
In the United States, there were 17,900 jobs for Physicist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,600 new jobs for Physicist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Physicist are Arizona, Idaho, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in North Dakota, New Hampshire, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Physicists Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Physicists is somewhere between $59,300 and $193,280.
Physicists who work in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Physicists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $133,930 |
| Arizona | $134,390 |
| California | $115,970 |
| Colorado | $106,490 |
| District of Columbia | $144,300 |
| Florida | $143,370 |
| Georgia | $122,040 |
| Hawaii | $126,480 |
| Idaho | $114,230 |
| Illinois | $114,320 |
| Iowa | $123,140 |
| Louisiana | $143,000 |
| Maine | $121,650 |
| Maryland | $120,450 |
| Massachusetts | $150,170 |
| Michigan | $106,650 |
| Minnesota | $155,140 |
| Mississippi | $101,420 |
| Missouri | $114,890 |
| New Hampshire | $130,150 |
| New Jersey | $134,280 |
| New Mexico | $149,910 |
| New York | $138,920 |
| North Carolina | $143,070 |
| Ohio | $122,370 |
| Oklahoma | $164,190 |
| Oregon | $124,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $137,060 |
| South Carolina | $129,860 |
| Tennessee | $124,950 |
| Texas | $118,300 |
| Utah | $129,480 |
| Vermont | $111,080 |
| Virginia | $108,440 |
| Washington | $110,710 |
| Wisconsin | $150,670 |
What Tools do Physicists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Physicists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Extensible markup language XML
- UNIX
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- C
Becoming a Physicist
Education needed to be a Physicist:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Physicist?
Who Employs Physicists?
Below are examples of industries where Physicists work:
References:
Image Credit: A. T. Service via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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