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The differences between scientists and physicists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a scientist, becoming a physicist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a physicist has an average salary of $110,869, which is higher than the $97,344 average annual salary of a scientist.
The top three skills for a scientist include chemistry, data analysis and patients. The most important skills for a physicist are patients, radiology, and oncology.
| Scientist | Physicist | |
| Yearly salary | $97,344 | $110,869 |
| Hourly rate | $46.80 | $53.30 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 62,467 | 803 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
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.
Scientists and physicists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Scientist | Physicist | |
| Average salary | $97,344 | $110,869 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $140,000 | Between $68,000 And $180,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Rochester, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Sanford Health |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a scientist and a physicist in terms of educational background:
| Scientist | Physicist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Physics |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between scientists' and physicists' demographics:
| Scientist | Physicist | |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 24% |