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The differences between physicists and dosimetrists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a physicist, becoming a dosimetrist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a physicist has an average salary of $110,869, which is higher than the $110,837 average annual salary of a dosimetrist.
The top three skills for a physicist include patients, radiology and oncology. The most important skills for a dosimetrist are patients, radiation therapy, and patient care.
| Physicist | Dosimetrist | |
| Yearly salary | $110,869 | $110,837 |
| Hourly rate | $53.30 | $53.29 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 803 | 3,298 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 48 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
A dosimetrist is a medical professional who assists patients undergoing radiation therapy. You are responsible for determining the proper radiation dosage being used in treating patients with cancer. Your duties include explaining the procedure to patients and responding to their questions and concerns, working closely with physicians to determine the amount and duration of radiation therapy, and assisting in the simulations and tumor localization using various imaging devices such as MRI, CT, and PET.
Physicists and dosimetrists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Physicist | Dosimetrist | |
| Average salary | $110,869 | $110,837 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $180,000 | Between $73,000 And $166,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Sanford Health | Kaiser Permanente |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a physicist and a dosimetrist in terms of educational background:
| Physicist | Dosimetrist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Physics | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between physicists' and dosimetrists' demographics:
| Physicist | Dosimetrist | |
| Average age | 48 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 24% | 17% |