What Does it Take to Be a Physicist?
Job Description & Duties Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Life As a Physicist: What Do They Do?
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- 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.
- Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
- Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
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Things a Physicist Should Know How to Do
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.
Types of Physicist Jobs
- Biophysics Scientist
- Electro Optical Engineer
- Molecular Physicist
- Space Physicist
- Rheologist
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. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
How Much Does a Physicist Make?
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.
How much do Physicists make in each U.S. state?
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Physicists
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 kind of Physicist requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Physicists Sector
Physicists work in the following 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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