We surveyed 515 physicists to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical physicist. Here are the results.
Can I learn to become a physicist?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a physicist typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a physicist?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically quite difficult to find a job as a physicist. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for physicists.
Do physicists work full-time or part-time?
73% of physicists work in full-time roles while 27% work part-time.
Is being a physicist stressful?
Low
High
Physicists tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a physicist?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particularly important part of being a physicist.
How competitive is the workplace for physicists?
Low
High
Physicists see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being a physicist require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for physicists.
Are physicists allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Physicists are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do physicists have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Physicists tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a physicist physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a physicist is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are physicists exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Physicists tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being a physicist require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a physicist.
Does being a good physicist require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassionate and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a physicist.