All About Physicists
Physicist Job Description Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
A Day in the Life of a Physicist
- 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.
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- Direct testing and monitoring of contamination of radioactive equipment, and recording of personnel and plant area radiation exposure data.
- Develop standards of permissible concentrations of radioisotopes in liquids and gases.
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Physicist Required Skills
When polled, Physicists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Physicist Jobs
- Research Consultant
- Theoretical Physicist
- Cloud Physicist
- Molecular Spectroscopist
- Atomic Spectroscopist
Physicist Employment Estimates
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. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Physicist per 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Physicist
The average yearly salary of a Physicist ranges between $59,300 and $193,280.
Physicists who work in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
How much do Physicists make 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 & Technology 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
How to Become a Physicist
What education is needed to be a Physicist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Physicists Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Physicists employed by various industries.
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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