Compare STEM careers
Pick two careers to see them side by side.
| Nuclear Engineer | Physicist | |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. starting salary | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Degree requirement | Often useful but not essential | Usually required |
| Typical route | A levels, Apprenticeship, Degree, Postgraduate degree | A levels, Degree, Postgraduate degree |
| Work environment | Office, Workshop, Mixed | Laboratory, Office |
| People interaction | Less so | Less so |
| Hands-on work | Less so | Less so |
| Research | Less so | Yes |
| Career progression | Progress to chartered engineer, safety case specialist, project or site leadership roles. | 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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