<p>I know that you must study a lot of math and physics and that you need a Ph.D</p>
<p>But what are the chances of someone to become a theoretical/experimental physicist? I mean, of all students who have entered a Physics program at university, how many actually end up being well-paid physicists? </p>
<p>I honestly don’t know if I should take this path, because I am afraid I won’t be able to find a decent job after my studies. I have also thought about Engineering, but I think I’d like Physics more. </p>
<p>I have found somewhere that the average salary of a physicist is around 60 000$ per year. Isn’t that low, when you think about the years of studies they need?</p>
<p>Finally, I’d like to ask a second question related to that. What is the everyday life of a theoretical/experimental physicist? What do they do usually, can they make theories AND experiment them?</p>
<p>I’m sure this is absolutely not the answer you want, but unfortunately I know nothing about physicists except what I know from a tv show. So my advice is: watch Big Bang Theory–its two main characters are an experimental and theoretical physicist! </p>
<p>If you take the show for the truth, physicists don’t get paid too much money (the characters are researchers at Caltech and share a medium-sized apartment), but they are still fairly young (mid- late-20’s). They do both have PhDs. And it can’t be too hard to get a job as one (again this is just based on the show) because they constantly make fun of Leonard for being an awful physicist yet he still has a job!</p>
<p>I’m sorry this post doesn’t have much substance, but it’s all that I know!</p>
<p>Try asking in the College Life or College Majors sections, as they are meant for these types of questions, whereas this one is meant for chancing people for colleges.</p>
<p>I am considering the same path man! Where have you applied for uni? I also though about engineering, but sound too formulaic. Want something to really make me think.</p>