Compare STEM careers
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| Astronomer | Physicist | |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. starting salary | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Degree requirement | Usually required | Usually required |
| Typical route | A levels, Degree, Postgraduate degree | A levels, Degree, Postgraduate degree |
| Work environment | Office, Remote/Hybrid | Laboratory, Office |
| People interaction | Less so | Less so |
| Hands-on work | Less so | Less so |
| Research | Yes | Yes |
| Career progression | Academic progression runs from postdoc to lecturer and professor. Many move into space industry, data or software careers. | Physicists progress to senior research roles, lead technical teams, or move into engineering, data science or finance. |
Salary figures are approximate guidance only.
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