What type of physicist should I become for a high-paying and exciting career?

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When choosing between a career as a theoretical physicist or a nuclear physicist, it's important to consider both excitement and salary potential. While both fields can be fulfilling, the discussion highlights that few physicists achieve significant wealth, suggesting that those primarily motivated by money might consider alternative paths like business or law. Engaging with professors or academic advisors is recommended for personalized guidance. It's noted that nuclear physics can encompass theoretical aspects, indicating that the two paths are not mutually exclusive. Additionally, pursuing a master's in nuclear physics may lead to higher-paying roles, such as nuclear engineering, compared to the lower salaries often associated with graduate student positions in physics. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of specific branches of physics and the distinction between theoretical and experimental research is essential for making an informed decision.

which one?

  • nuclear physicist

    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • theoretical physicist

    Votes: 1 50.0%

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which path should I choose??

what career should I choose? a theoretical physicist or a nuclear physicist? I want one that pays good, but mainly which one would be more exciting, I like both of them very much, I wouldn't mind either, just the one that pays a good salary, and is the most exciting. Thanks!:biggrin:
 
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If you are all so interested in money, open a business or go to law school. Few physicists get rich.
 


lol, I think perhaps you should decide via a more personal method. Talk to your professors/academic advisers about what career you might want to pursue. And depending on what level of education your at, there might be quite a bit of time to decide.

Also nuclear physics can be theoretical physicists, so they are not mutually exclusive...

As for getting more money, my high school physics teacher got a masters in nuclear physics and became a nuclear engineer for a while before she became a teacher and probably made more money that way than, say, going into a PhD program and getting a grad student salary :P
 


Are you sure you know what a physicist truly does? You are asking the wrong question. You will need to choose a particular branch of physics (nuclear, condensed matter, particle, etc). A separate issue is whether you wish to pursue theoretical or experimental research.
 

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