Physicist
Physicists study matter, energy, forces and the laws of nature, from tiny particles to the whole universe.
What can you do with a physics degree?
Also called: Applied physics · Theoretical physics · Astrophysics · Physical sciences
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models. Some graduates become physicists and researchers, but their problem-solving and modelling skills are also in demand far beyond science, in data science, engineering, finance, healthcare and teaching.
Careers with a physics degree
Physics graduates work in research, technology, industry and finance. Some become physicists in universities, national laboratories or companies working on energy, materials, space or electronics. Many use their modelling and programming skills as data scientists, software developers or actuaries, or join engineering fields such as aerospace. Others train as secondary teachers, as physics teachers are needed in many countries. With further training, physics also leads into healthcare roles such as radiographer or medical physicist.
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Data scientist
Data scientists use statistics, programming and machine learning to find patterns in data and help organisations make decisions or build data-driven products.
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Aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineers design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, drones, and their engines and systems.
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Radiographer
Radiographers use X-ray, CT, MRI and other imaging equipment to produce images that help doctors diagnose injury and disease, while therapeutic radiographers, also called radiation therapists, give radiotherapy to treat cancer.
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Secondary school teacher
Secondary school teachers teach one or two subjects to students aged about eleven or twelve to eighteen and prepare them for national exams.
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Actuary
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to measure and manage risk, especially in insurance, pensions and investment.
Other roles graduates go into: Medical physicist · Meteorologist · Quantitative analyst · Systems engineer · Patent examiner · Nuclear engineer
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Classical mechanics
- Electromagnetism
- Quantum mechanics
- Thermodynamics and statistical physics
- Relativity and astrophysics
- Mathematical methods for physics
- Laboratory skills and experimental design
- Computational physics and programming
Skills you gain
- Solving complex problems with mathematics
- Designing experiments and analysing results
- Programming and building computer models
- Working with uncertainty and statistics
- Explaining technical ideas clearly
- Persistence with difficult, open-ended problems
How the degree differs around the world
In much of Europe, a physics bachelor's degree takes three years, and many students add a one- or two-year master's. In the UK, many students take an integrated four-year master's degree, such as an MPhys or MSci, and in Scotland degrees usually take a year longer. In the United States, Canada and many Asian countries, physics is usually a four-year degree, and research careers generally need a PhD. Entry almost always requires strong mathematics and physics at school. In some countries, such as the UK and Ireland, programmes can be accredited by a national physics society.
How do physics graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 138 (2023) | 77.1% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Chile | 125 (2023) | 84.3% (2022) | 85.7% |
| United States | 117 (2023) | 84.8% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Norway | 111 (2023) | 86.5% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Denmark | 111 (2023) | 82.4% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Mexico | 109 (2023) | 78.3% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Slovenia | 108 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.8% |
| South Korea | 106 (2023) | — | — |
| Estonia | 105 (2023) | 89.2% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Canada | 105 (2020) | 80.1% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Switzerland | 104 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Finland | 103 (2022) | 88.4% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Australia | 103 (2020) | 86.2% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Austria | 102 (2023) | 82.6% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Portugal | 101 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Sweden | 100 (2023) | 85.3% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Germany | 97 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Romania | 96 (2023) | 92.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Luxembourg | 94 (2023) | 79.5% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Latvia | 93 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| United Kingdom | 92 (2020) | 83.2% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Iceland | — | 92.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Poland | — | 91.5% (2024) | 91.6% |
| France | — | 91.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Lithuania | — | 90.6% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Czechia | — | 90.0% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Netherlands | — | 89.0% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Ireland | — | 87.2% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Slovakia | — | 86.7% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Croatia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Spain | — | 84.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Belgium | — | 83.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Greece | — | 82.9% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Italy | — | 82.9% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Peru | — | 80.5% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 72.6% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Physics” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £30,000 | £23,800 | £36,200 | 89.7% |
| After 3 years | £37,300 | £29,300 | £47,200 | 90.3% |
| After 5 years | £43,900 | £34,000 | £58,600 | 89.7% |
| After 10 years | £54,500 | £40,300 | £77,200 | 85.5% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a physics degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You want to understand how the world works at the most basic level.
- You enjoy mathematics and are happy to use it every day.
- You like both theory and practical experiments.
Think twice if
- You find advanced mathematics stressful or dull, as it is central to almost every module.
- You expect a research career to be easy to reach, since academic posts are few and competitive.
- You prefer learning through discussion and essays rather than problem sets and calculations.
Further study
A PhD is usually needed for research careers in universities, national laboratories and industry research. Master's degrees are popular for specialist areas such as medical physics, renewable energy, data science and materials science. Physics graduates can also train as teachers through a postgraduate teaching qualification, or move into engineering, finance or actuarial work through further study or professional exams.
Questions about studying physics
What jobs can you get with a physics degree?
Physics graduates work as physicists, data scientists, software developers, engineers, actuaries and secondary school teachers. Others work in finance, energy, space, defence, telecommunications and healthcare, including roles such as radiographer or medical physicist after further training. Employers value physics graduates because they can solve complex problems and handle data.
Is physics a hard degree?
Yes, physics is usually seen as one of the more demanding degrees. It requires advanced mathematics, abstract thinking and a lot of problem solving, often every week. Most students find the first year a big step up from school. Working through problems regularly, joining study groups and asking for help early make a real difference.
Do you need a PhD to work in physics?
Not for most jobs that use a physics degree. Many graduates work in engineering, data, finance, teaching and technology with a bachelor's or master's degree. However, if you want to be a research physicist in a university or research laboratory, a PhD is usually required, and academic posts are competitive.
Is a physics degree good for data science?
Yes. Physics students learn statistics, programming and how to build models from real data, which are core skills in data science. Many physics graduates move into data science, machine learning and analytics roles, sometimes after a short course or master's degree to strengthen their programming and business knowledge.
Related subjects
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Mathematics
A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing.
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Electrical engineering
An electrical engineering degree teaches how to design and build systems that generate, control and use electricity, from power grids and motors to circuits, chips and communication networks.
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Aerospace engineering
An aerospace engineering degree teaches how to design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and their systems, using mathematics, physics and computer modelling.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH07-01-01 — Physics
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0533
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a physics degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/physics/ (accessed September 26, 2026)