About the job
Physicists conduct theoretical and applied research to extend knowledge of natural phenomena and to develop new processes and devices in fields such as electronics, communications, power generation and distribution, aerodynamics, optics and lasers, remote sensing, biotechnology, medicine and health. They are employed by electronic, electrical and aerospace manufacturing companies, telecommunications companies, power utilities, university and government research laboratories, hospitals, and by a wide range of other processing, manufacturing, and research and consulting firms.
Astronomers conduct observational and theoretical research to extend knowledge of the universe. They are employed by government and universities.
- Design and conduct research in experimental and theoretical physics.
- Carry out analysis of research data and prepare research reports.
- Participate as a member of a research or development team in the design and development of experimental, industrial or medical equipment, instrumentation and procedures.
- Design and conduct observational surveys, conduct detailed analyses and develop numerical models to extend knowledge of celestial bodies and cosmic radiation.
- Develop or participate in the development of instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
Physicists may specialize in fields such as aeronomy and space, acoustics, atomic and molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter or solid state physics, electromagnetics, fluids and aerodynamics, health physics, medical physics, metrology, particle physics, optics and laser physics, nuclear physics and plasma physics. Astronomers may specialize in fields such as astrophysics, observational or optical astronomy and radio astronomy.
- aerospace research scientist
- astronomer
- biophysicist
- communications research scientist
- cosmologist
- electronics research scientist
- molecular biophysicist
- nuclear physicist
- physicist
- physics research scientist
To work in this field, you should be imaginative, patient, persistent, and curious. Mathematical, analytical, and mechanical abilities are essential. You must be able to conduct research, use computers, and perform complex calculations. Communication skills are also important, as scientists often work in teams.
- Physicists usually require a master's or doctoral degree in a field of physics, engineering physics, or in a related discipline.
- Astronomers usually require a master's or doctoral degree in astronomy or in a related discipline.
Although the number of job openings for physicists and astronomers is likely to remain limited, the supply of new people qualified to work in these jobs is also limited by the significant investment in education that is required. Physicists may work closely with and perform some of the duties of engineers. Mobility between specializations within physics and within astronomy is possible with experience as is mobility to the fields of meteorology, geophysics and other fields of science. Progression to management positions is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Physicists and Astronomers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 90% of Physicists and Astronomers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $85,616. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Physicists and Astronomers | 50 | x | x | x | Minimum: N/A Median: N/A Maximum: N/A | Minimum: N/A Median: $85,832 Maximum: N/A |
Occupations in Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology | 25,875 | Strong growth | 3,095 | Low | Minimum: $17.69 Median: $31.35 Maximum: $47.18 | Minimum: $13,568 Median: $60,422 Maximum: $107,009 |
Physicists and Astronomers | Compared to: Occupations in Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology | |
Percent employed full-time | 100% | 94% |
Percent self-employed | 3% | 7% |
Area of Employment | Physicists and Astronomers | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | x | x | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | x | x | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 20% | x | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 70% | x | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | x | x | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Physicists and Astronomers | Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | N/A | x |
25-34 | 50% | 14% |
35-44 | N/A | 33% |
45-54 | N/A | 32% |
55-64 | 50% | 18% |
65+ | N/A | 4% |
Median Age | 39 | 43 |

Gender | Physicists and Astronomers | Compared to: Occupations in Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 0% | 20% |
Male | 100% | 80% |
Education | Physicists and Astronomers | Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | N/A | x | 0.7% | $28,107 |
High school | N/A | x | 12.1% | $35,125 |
Trades certificate | N/A | x | 6.8% | $54,923 |
College certificate or diploma | 20.0% | x | 33.7% | $52,476 |
University certificate or diploma | N/A | x | 3.7% | $52,446 |
Bachelor's degree | 20.0% | $61,508 | 29.7% | $58,011 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | N/A | $100,712 | 2.0% | $54,917 |
Master's degree | N/A | $77,938 | 9.7% | $37,706 |
Doctorate | 20.0% | $98,808 | 1.7% | $65,565 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | 50.0% | x | 0.1% | $57,566 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any general program that focuses on the planetary, galactic, and stellar phenomena occurring in outer space. These programs include courses in celestial mechanics, cosmology, stellar physics, galactic evolution, quasars, stellar distribution and motion, interstellar medium, atomic and molecular constituents of astronomical phenomena, planetary science, solar system evolution, and specific methodologies such as optical astronomy, radioastronomy, and theoretical astronomy.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the theoretical and observational study of the structure, properties, and behaviour of stars, star systems and clusters, stellar life cycles, and related phenomena. These programs include courses in cosmology, plasma kinetics, stellar physics, convolution and non-equilibrium radiation transfer theory, non-Euclidean geometries, mathematical modelling, galactic structure theory, and relativistic astronomy.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. These programs include courses in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the general application of mathematical and scientific principles to the analysis and evaluation of the characteristics and behaviour of solids, including internal structure, chemical properties, transport and energy flow properties, thermodynamics of solids, stress and failure factors, chemical transformation states and processes, compound materials, and research on industrial applications of specific materials.
This instructional program class comprises any general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the behaviour of the matter-energy continuum. These programs include courses in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, mechanics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, quantitative methods, and laboratory methods.
There are no additional resources for this occupation.