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The differences between physicists and electrical engineers 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 an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a physicist has an average salary of $110,869, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a physicist include patients, radiology and oncology. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Physicist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $110,869 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $53.30 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 803 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 48 | 45 |
| 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.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Physicists and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Physicist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $110,869 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $180,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | Sanford Health | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a physicist and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Physicist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Physics | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between physicists' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Physicist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 48 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 24% | 6% |