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The differences between physicists and health physicists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a physicist and a health physicist. Additionally, a physicist has an average salary of $110,869, which is higher than the $74,942 average annual salary of a health physicist.
The top three skills for a physicist include patients, radiology and oncology. The most important skills for a health physicist are radioactive materials, oversight, and ALARA.
| Physicist | Health Physicist | |
| Yearly salary | $110,869 | $74,942 |
| Hourly rate | $53.30 | $36.03 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 803 | 47,640 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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 health physicist investigates research principles by which radiation interacts with living systems and matter. Health physicists study environmental radioactivity levels. Part of their research is radiation's effects on biological systems in space and on earth. They ensure the proper functioning of the x-ray and the storage of radiation therapy. Part of their responsibility is to make sure that scientists are following regulations and safely using their radioactive materials. Also, they are advocates of human and environmental protection.
Physicists and health physicists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Physicist | Health Physicist | |
| Average salary | $110,869 | $74,942 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $180,000 | Between $41,000 And $134,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | Sanford Health | UCI Health |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a physicist and a health physicist in terms of educational background:
| Physicist | Health Physicist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Physics | Physics |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between physicists' and health physicists' demographics:
| Physicist | Health Physicist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1% |
| 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, 2.8% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 7.2% White, 77.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 24% | 24% |