| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers. |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Write research proposals to receive funding. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Teach physics to students. |
Doctor Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Doctorate Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Doctorate Degree.
A doctorate prepares graduates for advanced research, specialized clinical practice, and top-level academic or leadership roles. For people who have invested years in advanced study and want to see where that expertise applies. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Master's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Master's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Ph.D. Jobs
What jobs can you get with a Doctorate Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Doctorate Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Doctorate Degree. - 96 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Doctorate Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Physicists.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Physicists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Physicists
Description: Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Physicists":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
17,400U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
18,900
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
1,500 (8.8%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
1,300
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: 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. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Analyze geological or geographical data. | |
| Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields. | |
| Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists. | |
| Develop theories or models of physical phenomena. | |
| Instruct college students in physical or life sciences. | |
| Operate laboratory or field equipment. | |
| Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding. | |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Programming: Writing computer programs for various purposes. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Analyze environmental or geospatial data. |
| Activity: Analyze scientific or applied data using mathematical principles. |
| Activity: Assist scientists, scholars, or technical specialists with projects or research. |
| Activity: Develop scientific or mathematical theories or models. |
| Activity: Operate laboratory or field equipment. |
| Activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eclipse IDE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Python | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The MathWorks MATLAB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Configuration management software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Puppet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Development environment software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C Microsoft Azure software Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Visual Studio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise application integration software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extensible markup language XML | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expert system software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ansible software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| File versioning software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Git | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Photoshop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C++ Oracle Java Perl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Linux Microsoft Windows UNIX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web platform development software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JavaScript | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Cloud-based management software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OpenStack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clustering software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMware | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mathsoft Mathcad RibbonSoft QCad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data base management system software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SQLite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Database application software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scribus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP system | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP Ploticus Xfig xv | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music or sound editing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Audition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sun Microsystems Java | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenox Softworks VideoPoint |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 49.0 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 39.1 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training |
| Frequency of Attainment: 8.1 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.8 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 38.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 17.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 12.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Certified Health Physicist
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Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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American Association of Physicists in Medicine
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American Institute of Physics (AIP)
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American Physical Society (APS)
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Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Physicists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Physicists
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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