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Physicist vs doctor

The differences between physicists and doctors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a doctor has an average salary of $208,582, which is higher than the $110,869 average annual salary of a physicist.

The top three skills for a physicist include patients, radiology and oncology. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.

Physicist vs doctor overview

PhysicistDoctor
Yearly salary$110,869$208,582
Hourly rate$53.30$100.28
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs80314,571
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4848
Years of experience6-

What does a physicist do?

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.

What does a doctor do?

A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.

Physicist vs doctor salary

Physicists and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.

PhysicistDoctor
Average salary$110,869$208,582
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $180,000Between $106,000 And $408,000
Highest paying CityRochester, NYGreen Bay, WI
Highest paying stateConnecticutOhio
Best paying companySanford HealthSaint Luke's Health System
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between physicist and doctor education

There are a few differences between a physicist and a doctor in terms of educational background:

PhysicistDoctor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorPhysicsMedicine
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityDuke University

Physicist vs doctor demographics

Here are the differences between physicists' and doctors' demographics:

PhysicistDoctor
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage24%13%

Differences between physicist and doctor duties and responsibilities

Physicist example responsibilities.

  • Analyze large data sets using Matlab and compare the simulation results with the empirical data.
  • Plan HDR, prostate seed, and IMRT treatments.
  • Assist in commissioning of a Varian TrueBeam LINAC.
  • Work with Tomotherapy HiArt, Varian 21EX and 21IX, and TrueBeam linear accelerators.
  • Ensure safety of workers and the public by monitoring OSHA, ANSI, EPA, and other require regulations.
  • Calibrate radiation machine used to treat cancer patients with radiation therapy.
  • Show more

Doctor example responsibilities.

  • Manage conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, and GERD.
  • Develop personalize treatment plans, rehabilitation plans, exercise plans, report of findings, nutritional plans and narrative reports.
  • Perform patient x-rays, provide MRI consultations.
  • Perform x-rays of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
  • Hire, train, educate and monitor staff in HIPPA policies and procedures.
  • Create, update, and maintain confidential patient EHRs in compliance with all HIPAA laws and regulations.
  • Show more

Physicist vs doctor skills

Common physicist skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Radiology, 9%
  • Oncology, 9%
  • Radiation Safety, 6%
  • Radiation Therapy, 6%
  • PET, 4%
Common doctor skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Emergency Medicine, 5%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • DR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 3%

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