Career Paths and Salaries
According to the Society of Physics Students, only about 30 percent of those earning a Ph.D. in astronomy or physics go on to a career in higher education. The rest work in the private sector, civilian government, the military, and other entities. Median salary figures indicate a starting salary of roughly $50,000 in the private sector, with more than double that for those with advanced degrees and professional experience.
Students with physics majors can pursue a career as an:
- Astronomer/astrophysicist
- Biophysicist
- Computer modeling professional
- Data analyst
- Engineer
- Entrepreneur
- Healthcare professional
- Patent attorney
- Physical scientist
- Physicist
- Radar developer
- Research scientists
- Satellite engineer
- Solid state physicist
- Teacher
Median Salaries for Physics Majors
| Job Title | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Physical Scientist | $76,140 |
| Astronomer | $104,100 |
| Physicist | $111,580 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 Physical Scientist | Astronomer and Physicist)
