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What is a medical physics professor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
(Lily) Li Linghong
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a medical physics professor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $44.11 an hour? That's $91,739 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 159,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a medical physics professor?

(Lily) Li Linghong(Lily) Li Linghong LinkedIn profile

Chair, Associate Professor, SUNY Potsdam: The State University of New York, Potsdam

As a professor of physics, I can confidently assert that physics majors acquire a diverse set of invaluable life skills throughout their academic journey. These skills encompass rigorous research and analysis capabilities, adept mathematical proficiency, collaborative teamwork aptitude, efficient time-management techniques, comprehensive knowledge of information technology (IT), proficiency in instrumentation prototyping, adept problem-solving prowess, and finely honed experimental skills. Furthermore, they excel in both written and verbal communication, a vital aspect in any professional setting. Upon graduating, our physics students embark on various paths. While some choose to pursue advanced studies in graduate school, others venture into a wide range of other career options. These include roles such as technical writers, science educators, forensic scientists, professors, data analysts, research analysts, web developers, design engineers, systems analysts, meteorologists, and more. The starting salaries for Bachelor of Arts (BA) Physics graduates in STEM positions typically exceed $45,000, while those in non-STEM positions generally start at around $25,000 or higher. Overall, a degree in physics equips individuals with specialized knowledge and a versatile skill set, enabling them to thrive in diverse professions.
ScoreMedical Physics ProfessorUS Average
Salary
7.2

Avg. Salary $91,739

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.7

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%

Asian 12.18%

Black or African American 4.93%

Hispanic or Latino 7.22%

Unknown 4.56%

White 70.84%

Gender

female 63.83%

male 36.17%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
4.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a medical physics professor

  1. Explore medical physics professor education requirements

    Most common medical physics professor degrees

    Bachelor's

    35.9 %

    Master's

    23.1 %

    Doctorate

    20.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific medical physics professor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Medical Terminology100.00%
  3. Research medical physics professor duties and responsibilities

    • Lead outreach to community and statewide stakeholders in the PPCC entrepreneurship program.
    • Facilitate instruction for developing the thesis topic statement, qualitative and quantitative research design, and conducting a review of literature.
    • Work with students primarily with learning disabilities, ADHD and behavioral/emotional disturbance.
  4. Apply for medical physics professor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a medical physics professor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first medical physics professor job

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Average medical physics professor salary

The average medical physics professor salary in the United States is $91,739 per year or $44 per hour. Medical physics professor salaries range between $37,000 and $223,000 per year.

Average medical physics professor salary
$91,739 Yearly
$44.11 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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