We surveyed 1,102 physicists to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical physicist. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a physicist?
Low
High
Working as a physicist typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that physicists are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
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 particuarly 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 physicists 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 compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a physicist.