Physics Degree
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Table of Contents
Physics is the science that tries to understand the laws of nature and the relationship between energy and matter. The basics of physics can be applied to most other sciences, and for that reason, a great many people use physics as a springboard into other fields of study or professions.
A physics degree offers students the chance to understand the world around them in all its enormity and complexity. Physics topics include electricity and magnetism, space and time, thermodynamics, quantum physics, relativity, geophysics, fluid dynamics, astronomy and geology. Alongside practical work and experimentation, physics degrees will also include lots of theoretical learning and complex mathematics.
Physics Careers
The career trajectory of people with a Physics degree appears to be focused around a few careers. The most common career that users with Physics degrees have experience in is Physicist, followed by Astronomer, Scientist, Engineer, Mathematician, Particle Physicist, Materials Scientist, Electrical Engineer, Software Engineer, and Chemist.
| Career | % of graduates | % of population | Multiple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist | 6.8% | 0.1% | 80.4× | ||
| Astronomer | 6.1% | 0.0% | 318.4× | ||
| Scientist | 2.5% | 0.2% | 14.0× | ||
| Engineer | 2.1% | 1.0% | 2.1× | ||
| Mathematician | 2.0% | 0.1% | 31.8× | ||
| Particle Physicist | 4.5% | 0.0% | 1269.0× | ||
| Materials Scientist | 2.5% | 0.0% | 86.7× | ||
| Electrical Engineer | 1.0% | 0.3% | 3.7× | ||
| Software Engineer | 1.9% | 0.7% | 2.5× | ||
| Chemist | 0.9% | 0.2% | 5.2× | ||
Physics Salary
Physics graduates earn on average $45k, putting them in the 70th percentile of earners with a degree.
| Percentile | Earnings after graduation ($1000s USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 25th (bottom earners) | $30k | |
| Median (average earners) | $45k | |
| 75th (top earners) | $68k | |
Physics Underemployment
Physics graduates are highly employed compared to other graduates. We have collected data on three types of underemployment. Part-time refers to work that is less than 30 hours per week. Non-college refers to work that does not require a college degree. Low-paying includes a list of low-wage service jobs such as janitorial work, serving, or dishwashing.
| Employment Type | Proportion of graduates | |
|---|---|---|
| Part-Time | 31% | |
| Jobs that don't require college | 20% | |
| Low-paying | 7% | |
