Skip navigation

Physical Scientists

Physical scientists study relationships between matter, energy and other physical phenomena, the nature, composition and structure of the Earth and other planetary bodies and forecast weather conditions and electrical, magnetic, seismic and thermal activity.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£26,428
£48,173
£80,463

New workers start around £26,428. Normal pay is £48,173 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £80,463.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 31,632 vacancies for this type of job

4.77%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Applies mathematical models and techniques to assist in the solution of scientific problems in industry and commerce and seeks out new applications of mathematical analysis.

  • Observes, records and collates data on atmospheric conditions from weather stations, satellites, and observation vessels to plot and forecast weather conditions.

  • Uses surveys, seismology and other methods to determine the earth’s mantle, crust, rock structure and type, and to analyse and predict the occurrence of seismological activity.

  • Conducts experiments and tests and uses mathematical models and theories to investigate the structure and properties of matter, transformations and propagations of energy, the behaviour of particles and their interaction with various forms of energy.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Project Management

  • Geology

  • Physics

  • Hydrology

  • Geotechnical Engineering

  • Geographic Information Systems

  • Flood Risk Assessments

  • Engineering Geology

  • Environmental Science

  • Hydrogeology

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Management

  • Communication

  • Planning

  • Research

  • Mentorship

  • Innovation

  • Report Writing

  • Investigation

  • Presentations

  • Leadership

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

  • Geography

    Liverpool Hope University

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Liverpool · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: 72/72

  • Geography

    University of Aberdeen

    BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Aberdeen · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: 120/152

  • Geological Oceanography

    Bangor University

    MSci · 4 Years · Full-time · Bangor, Gwynedd · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: 128/152

  • Geography with Foundation Year

    Manchester Metropolitan University

    BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time including foundation year · Manchester · 09/2024

    Tariff points: 72/80

  • Geography

    University of Bristol

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Bristol · 09/2024

    Tariff points: 104/159

  • Geography with IFY

    University of Brighton

    BSc (Hons) · 5 Years · Sandwich including foundation year · Brighton · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: 72/72

  • Engineering (Top Up)

    Derby College

    BEng (Hon) · 1 Year · Full-time · Derby · 09/2024

    Tariff points: N/A

  • Geophysics

    The University of Edinburgh

    BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Edinburgh · 09/2024

    Tariff points: N/A

  • Aircraft Engineering

    University of the West of Scotland

    MEng (Hon) · 1-5 Years · Full-time · Paisley · 09/09/2024

    Tariff points: 114/114

  • Geology

    University of Plymouth

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Plymouth · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: 112/120

  • Environmental Science

    University of Leicester

    BSc (Hons) · 3-4 Years · Full-time · Leicester · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: 128/152