What Can You Do with a Physics Degree?

As it covers space, time, motion, and matter, it’s fair to say physics incorporates a lot of different topics. This also means that, if you were to earn a physics degree, you could ultimately walk along with a wide assortment of different career paths – whether it’s as a high school science teacher or working with NASA.

Should I earn a physics major?

The diversity of occupations available with a physics degree is an enticing element for prospective students. Graduates gain numerous transferable skills, including data analysis, numeracy, communication, and problem-solving. As a result, they can find themselves being in high demand across diverse sectors – the type that pays a generous salary.

What can I do with a physics degree?

If you earn an associate’s degree in physics, there are various career paths you can take. Most students, however, will go on to earn either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the subject. With these qualifications in hand, a whole host of physics-based professions become a viable option. Below are a few examples of jobs with a physics degree:

Chemical technician

Usually found in either a laboratory or manufacturing facility, a chemical technician is responsible for assisting chemists and chemical engineers. Their work involves utilizing specialist techniques and instruments, and these can be used for everything from conducting experiments to monitoring production processes. An associate’s degree is usually required for this role.

In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported chemical technicians received an annual wage of $49,260. The job outlook in 2019-2029 for this role is a 3% growth.

Nuclear technician

A nuclear technician is tasked with conducting nuclear energy production and nuclear research, with them assisting professionals such as engineers and physicists. Other responsibilities include monitoring and helping to operate nuclear reactors. The entry-level education for a nuclear technician is an associate’s degree.

The average annual wage for this position is a healthy $82,080. What isn’t as healthy, however, is the job projection – the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 19% decrease in demand for nuclear technicians between 2019 and 2029.

Medical scientist

A medical scientist’s main role is to conduct research, with the main aim of being able to improve overall human health. Medical scientists will usually possess a doctoral or professional degree.

Based on an investigation by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $88,790 is the average wage for medical scientists in 2019. The role is also projected to increase employment opportunities by 6% between 2019 and 2029.

Computer and information research scientist

A computer and information research scientist works towards improving computer technology. Along with designing and inventing new methodologies to computer technology, these professionals also find ways to use existing technology in innovative ways. The entry-level education for this role is a master’s degree.

When focused entirely on a physics salary, this role is an example of the lucrative wage available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted that, in 2019, a computer and information research scientist received a $122,840 annual salary on average. The job outlook for this profession in 2019-2029 is also expected to grow by a large 15%.

Along with these roles, a physics background can also open the door to careers with the IT and software development fields. Other job options available with a physics degree include:

• Astronomer
• Academic researcher
• Sound engineer
• Meteorologist
• Secondary school teacher
• Higher education lecturer
• Clinical scientist
• Research scientist

The next step: selecting a college

You’ve seen the types of physics careers available, and you’ve come to a decision: I want to study physics. Now the next step is picking the right college.

Once you find a college with a physics program that matches your requirements, you have to analyze factors such as location, living arrangements, and budget. Another important aspect is the quality of the college’s campus.

Ultimately, you want a college that delivers a comfortable dorm room and a campus that promotes your studies. Trying to find out if a college has these qualities, however, can be difficult – especially if you stick to college-produced materials that gloss over those important details.

CampusReel changes that notion completely. This platform features informative videos all about campus life, and they’re produced entirely by students. Topics include everything from the condition of dorms to the best place to purchase groceries. These videos feature all the details, even the small ones, which you could want about a campus.

If you want to get your college research right, you can sign up for a free CampusReel account and gain immediate access to over 15,000 videos.