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The differences between engineers and physicists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an engineer and a physicist. Additionally, a physicist has an average salary of $110,869, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for an engineer include python, cloud and C++. The most important skills for a physicist are patients, radiology, and oncology.
| Engineer | Physicist | |
| Yearly salary | $92,077 | $110,869 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $53.30 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 618,207 | 803 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Physicists explain the effect of structures, phenomena, and forces on the natural world. Physicists determine and explore the primary principles governing the behavior and structure of matter. They study energy generation and transfer as well as the interaction between matter and energy. Their job involves the development of theories on the properties of matter, time, space, and energy. The position requires extensive research for technical papers and reports contributing to the industry. Physicians teach and lecture students on the laws associated with physics.
Engineers and physicists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineer | Physicist | |
| Average salary | $92,077 | $110,869 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $130,000 | Between $68,000 And $180,000 |
| Highest paying City | Huntsville, AL | Rochester, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | Sanford Health |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | - |
There are a few differences between an engineer and a physicist in terms of educational background:
| Engineer | Physicist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Physics |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between engineers' and physicists' demographics:
| Engineer | Physicist | |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 2.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 13.2% White, 73.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 24% |