Physics Professor

Your Fit

Income

$97K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.8%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Physics Professor?

A Physics Professor is an academic professional specializing in the field of physics. They engage in teaching physics courses at the post-secondary level and often conduct research in their area of expertise.

Sample job titles:

Instructor, Physics Instructor, Physics Professor, Professor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Physics Professor.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Physics Professor earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$55K per year	$67K per year	$97K per year	$130K per year	$170K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $48K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Physics Professor do?

Work environment

Physics Professors typically work in universities or colleges. Their environment includes classrooms, laboratories, and offices. They spend time teaching, conducting research, attending meetings, and engaging in administrative tasks related to their academic responsibilities.

Quick task list

Teaches undergraduate and graduate physics courses.
Conducts and publishes original research.
Supervises student research projects and theses.
Attends academic conferences and seminars.
Participates in departmental and university committees.
Seeks research funding through grants.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Theoretical Physics: Focusing on developing abstract models to explain physical phenomena.
Experimental Physics: Involving hands-on experimentation and empirical studies.
Astrophysics: Studying the physics of astronomical objects and phenomena.
Condensed Matter Physics: Researching the physical properties of solid and liquid matter.
Particle Physics: Investigating the properties and interactions of subatomic particles.

Description

Physics Professors play a crucial role in advancing knowledge in the field of physics and educating the next generation of scientists and thinkers. Their responsibilities are split between teaching, where they prepare and deliver lectures and assess student performance, and research, which involves conducting experiments, publishing findings, and attending scientific conferences.

This role demands a deep understanding of physics principles and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Physics Professors must also stay abreast of the latest developments in their field to provide current and relevant education.

Balancing teaching and research responsibilities is a significant aspect of the job. Professors are also expected to contribute to their academic community through activities like peer review, mentoring students, and participating in departmental governance.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Inspiring and educating future generations of physicists.
Engaging in cutting-edge research and discovery.
The intellectual stimulation of a continually evolving field.

You might make a good Physics Professor if you are...

Passionate about physics and enjoy sharing knowledge.
Highly analytical and methodical in research.
Skilled in problem-solving and critical thinking.
An effective communicator, able to simplify complex concepts.
Interested in lifelong learning and academic growth.

Pros:

Intellectual fulfillment and continuous learning.
Opportunities for groundbreaking research.
Prestige and recognition in the academic community.

Cons:

Long educational path and competitive job market.
Potential for high stress due to research and publication pressures.
Balancing teaching, research, and administrative duties can be challenging.

How to become a Physics Professor

Typical education

The role typically requires a Ph.D. in Physics, which may take an additional 5-7 years after completing a bachelor's degree.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced Mathematics and Physics for foundational knowledge.
Computer Science to develop skills in data analysis and modeling.
Communication and Writing to enhance presentation and report writing skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participate in science fairs and clubs.
Engage in independent research projects.
Attend science and physics workshops or camps.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in Physics.
Engage in undergraduate research opportunities.
Consider internships or summer programs at research institutions.
Attend graduate school for a Ph.D. in Physics.

More resources

American Physical Society (APS) - Provides resources and networking opportunities for physicists.
Physics Today - A magazine offering insights into the latest in physics research.
The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) - Offers resources for physics educators.
ArXiv.org - A platform for accessing research papers in physics and other fields.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.