From subatomic particle research to space exploration, physics is not only a fascinating subject, but also the beginning of many lucrative and satisfying career paths. Physics degree jobs are found in many top corporations, government agencies and national labs. Physics majors go on to contribute to scientific advancements, aid in national defense and become leaders in consulting, product development and technology. Read on to learn more about potential bachelor in physics jobs!

Examples of Careers for Physics Majors

Due to the broad skillset provided by the major, physics degree jobs exist in many industries. Below are some potential bachelor in physics jobs grouped by industry.

Business

While a business career path may not be the most obvious choice for a physics major, the analytical skills honed by the major align well with the technical and strategic needs of many companies. From consulting to analytics, physics graduates apply their problem-solving skills in roles such as:

• Consultant
• Actuary
• Business specialist

Energy and Environment

From developing new approaches to solar energy, to studying the effects of climate change on our coastal systems, physics jobs are at the forefront of efforts to understand and protect earth systems. Physics degree jobs in energy and the environment include roles such as:

• Coastal scientist
• Field technician
• Life scientist

Government and Defense

Physics majors are in high demand at government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Defense Physics graduates use their knowledge of algorithms, machine learning, signal processing and more to contribute to new technologies. Physics degree careers include:

• Atmospheric scientist
• Sonar development engineer
• Accelerator systems operator

Law

For physics majors who are interested in a law career, patent law is a common area of specialization. Physics majors in this field are at the forefront of new knowledge and inventions, conducting detailed analyses of potential patents and helping them through the process. Bachelor in physics jobs include:

• Patent agent
• Paralegal
• Patent examiner

Research and Development

Physics majors who are interested in research may go on to an advanced degree and academic career, but physics research skills are also valued in many industries. Physics degree jobs often involve the use of technical skills, but also include client and customer-facing roles. Careers for physics majors include:

• Research and development manager
• Product development engineer
• Research scientist

Medicine

With their understanding of complex systems, physics majors are valuable candidates for careers in medicine and healthcare. From roles developing new medical technology to ensuring quality radiation treatment, physics degree jobs contribute to the advancement of human health and disease treatment in jobs such as:

• Medical physicist
• Radiation physicist
• Health physics specialist

Technology

The technology sector is a common career path for physics majors. Drexel’s undergraduate physics curriculum equips majors with a strong foundation in data and computing, preparing them for jobs such as:

• Software engineer
• Data analyst
• Systems analyst

Physics Degree Salaries

With a valuable, transferrable skillset, physics majors go on to earn competitive salaries in a range of fields. In fact, physics is ranked in Forbes’ list of “15 Most Valuable College Majors.” Below are a few examples of the average physics degree salary in the following professions, according to PayScale.

• Data analyst - $57K
• Software engineer - $80K
• Aerospace engineer - $86K
• Research scientist - $86K
• Patent agent - $98K
• Medical physicist - $139K

Apply for a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics

Are you ready to begin your journey toward one of these physics degree careers? Recent Drexel physics graduates have gone on to exciting bachelor in physics jobs like:

• Backend Engineer, Bloomberg
• Software Developer, Comcast
• Health Physicist, United States Army
• PhD Student, University of California Berkeley
• And many more!

Learn More About Drexel’s BS in Physics