Becoming a theoretical physicist is one of the most rewarding and interesting career paths you can take. While it may not be one of the highest paying jobs out there, there are many benefits to working in this field besides money. Many people don’t realize that the average salary range for a theoretical physicist with a Ph.D. is between $10 and $70 per hour. Salaries vary greatly from state to state, but no matter where you work as a theoretical physicist, there are some pretty enviable perks if your interests lie in this field!
Theoretical physicists are part of the scientific community that studies the laws of nature and science. Theoretical physics can be broadly divided into three branches namely; classical, quantum and astrophysics. A theoretical physicist’s salary is based on a variety of factors such as the basis of education and specialization but overall, physicists make significantly more than other employees working in the same field.
Theoretical Physicist Salary With PhD Overview
Theoretical physicists work in a wide range of fields. Some are employed by universities and research institutions, while others are employed by government agencies or private companies. Their salaries vary based on their level of experience and the type of employer they work for.
Typical Theoretical Physicist Salaries
The average starting salary for a theoretical physicist is $51,000 per year. This figure can increase to $73,000 per year after several years of experience. Experienced physicists earn an average salary of $76,000 per year.
A theoretical physicist who works for an educational institution will earn a salary that is slightly lower than one who works for a private research firm. However, if you work at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) your starting salary will be $78,000 per year plus benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans that include matching funds from your employer. This may seem like a lot but keep in mind that tuition fees are extremely high at MIT compared to other colleges so this might not be an option unless you’re willing to pay out-of-state tuition rates which would amount to about $50K/year including room & board costs (not to mention having an additional degree.
What Does a Theoretical Physicists Do?
Theoretical physicists study the fundamental properties of matter and use their understanding of atoms and molecules to increase scientific understanding of the evolution of the universe. They are tasked with conducting experiments and developing scientific theories relating to their results. Their day-to-day work includes completing difficult mathematical equations and analyzing complex data sets. Theoretical physicists are also responsible for writing proposals to apply for funding for their research and writing scientific papers and scholarly articles explaining their findings. They may present research findings at scientific conferences and lectures as well. Often times, their research is applied to fields such as energy storage, medicine, navigation, and electronics and contribute to the development of new complex technologies.
How do You Become a Theoretical Physicist?
Formal qualifications are important to employers and educators, but anyone can practice physics. Galileo was studying medicine before the Physics bug hit him. As a curious man, he developed thermodynamics, mechanics, and astrophysics. Take a page from this father of modern physics. He saw planets that he could not touch and instead produced mathematical models to better understand them.
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
If you are enthusiastic about a subject, the learning never stops. Graduates often reject further studying; a Masters or a PhD seems like too much hard work. It is better to think of advanced education as honing tools. A bachelor’s degree will show you the basic elements of all the subjects, from areas of math you did not know existed. To being shown that some of the things you were taught at school were so oversimplified that they were wrong.
When you have finished the Bachelor, you can fine-tune the areas you enjoyed or excelled at. A Master’s degree will give you the tools to move onto the next stage, the doctorate. A theoretical Physics PhD is the philosophy behind why a thing is and how it works. Universities will offer several research projects to choose from unless you have a topic that is worth researching. This offers you the chance to collaborate with the top minds in your field, and have your thesis published.
University or College
It is a difficult subject, arguably, more difficult than a regular physics degree. Even though large universities carry a type of celebrity status, any employer will be far more impressed with the title. Larger universities may have better funding and closer ties to private institutes, but that should not determine your goal. Technical colleges can offer the same level of education as a university. If the intention is to go on to a Masters or PhD, a university will take on undergraduates from other schools.
Distance Learning
Distance learning is tricky in any discipline, it is down to your mindset, and if you can cope well with limited support. Universities not only have libraries and active seminars but also fellow undergraduates. Other students are both distracting and beneficial, and you can help each other as a team. These are complex theories developed over hundreds of years, and even in attendance, it is a steep learning curve.
How Difficult is the Study of Theoretical Physics?
The degree requires knowledge of programming, an analytical mind, and excellent mathematical skills. The course will guide you through many of the steps at an accelerated rate, but it is down to you. It is important to keep up with seminars and lectures, get help from your personal tutor, and to stay clear-headed. The hardest parts are, having to re-learn some of the teachings from earlier education, the math is also very theoretical.
General Requirements
Universities will want you to prove you will last the course and set a good example. Good A-Levels and diplomas make university acceptance easier. But a lot of universities will offer an induction period, of around 2 months, to help mature students and those with lower grades. After this period, the head of the department can determine your aptitude for physics. There is little point in enrolling in a difficult degree if you are not willing to devote yourself. Success comes to those who use all the education and resources their university offers.
The Salary of a Physicist With a PhD
Physicists seek to explain how motion, energy and molecules come together to form the particles that make up the world. They have a grasp on the universe in ways that most people are never able to understand.
Industry and Physicist Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual physicist salary is $123,080. The upper 10 percent earn $190,540, while the lower 10 percent has an income of $57,430.
The highest level of physicists are employed in scientific research and development. Six thousand physicists work in companies and institutions engaged in research, to create new and improved processes and products.
The federal government and colleges are the next two largest employers of physicists, with around 3,000 each. General medical and surgical hospitals employ around 1,200 physicists.
Colleges and universities pay the least, with a mean wage of $78,890. Physicists in scientific research earn an average of $132,930, and those working with the federal government, have an average income of $119,000.
The best-paying jobs for a physics Ph.D. candidate are offered by medical and surgical hospitals, with a mean wage of $177,420.
Years of Experience
California employs the greatest number of physicists, with nearly 3,000 jobs, earning a mean wage of $113,660. New Mexico follows, with 1,700, bringing in an average income of $147,690, and Maryland employs 1,260, with an average wage of $124,470.
