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Private Sector Physics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SUPV NUCLEAR ENGINEER

Washington, DC · On-site

$111K - $134K/yr

... the private sector in the participation of such studies. * You will serve at the direction of ... or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c ...

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Private Sector Physics information

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$20

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How much do private sector physics jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for private sector physics in the United States is $20.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Private Sector Physics vs Academic Physics?

AspectPrivate Sector PhysicsAcademic Physics
CredentialsTypically requires a PhD in Physics or related fieldRequires a PhD, often with postdoctoral experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate labs, research and development departments, industry settingsUniversities, research institutes, academic labs
Employer & Industry UsagePrivate companies, tech firms, manufacturing, defenseUniversities, government research agencies, academic institutions
Work FocusApplied research, product development, commercial solutionsFundamental research, teaching, theoretical studies

Private Sector Physics professionals focus on applied research and product development within industry settings, often working for corporations or tech firms. In contrast, Academic Physics involves fundamental research, teaching, and publishing within universities or research institutions. Both roles require advanced degrees, but their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a physicist in the private sector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a physicist in the private sector, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and problem-solving, typically supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in physics or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis software, computational modeling tools (such as MATLAB or Python), and, in some industries, specific laboratory or engineering systems is often required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills help you convey complex ideas and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for innovating, driving research and development, and solving real-world problems in competitive business environments.

What are private sector physics jobs?

Private sector physics jobs refer to roles where physicists apply their knowledge and skills in companies and industries outside of academic or government research. These positions can be found in sectors like technology, engineering, aerospace, finance, energy, and healthcare, among others. Physicists in the private sector might work on product development, data analysis, research and development, or technical consulting. These jobs often focus on solving practical problems and developing innovative solutions that can be commercialized. The private sector offers physicists opportunities for career advancement, teamwork, and working on real-world applications of scientific principles.

What types of projects do physicists typically work on in the private sector, and how do these differ from academic research?

Physicists in the private sector often work on applied research and development projects, such as designing new technologies, improving manufacturing processes, or developing advanced materials for industries like aerospace, energy, or telecommunications. Unlike academic research, which may focus on theoretical studies or long-term exploration, private sector projects are typically driven by practical applications, commercial goals, and tight deadlines. Team collaboration is common, as physicists work closely with engineers, product managers, and other specialists to bring innovations to market. This environment provides opportunities to see the direct impact of your work and to advance into roles in project management or technical leadership.
More about Private Sector Physics jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Private Sector Physics jobs?

The most popular types of Private Sector Physics jobs are:

Infographic showing various Private Sector Physics job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,731 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Supervisory General Engineer

US Department of the Treasury

New York, NY • On-site

$125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Treasury rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

311th of 845 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

What is Facilities Management & Security Services (FMSS)?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions
  • Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s):
    • FMSS-A&E FIELD DESIGN SUPPORT
REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS (IOR): A degree in Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience that includes college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional
registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting basic requirement, to be eligible for this position, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the next lower level within the payband or GS grade in the normal line of progression in the Federal service that demonstrates the required managerial skills and technical competence required to perform the job. To be qualified for this position your experience must include:
Experience directing engineering governance, design oversight, and technical program activities supporting enterprise-wide architecture, engineering, facility modernization, infrastructure improvements, and building system upgrade initiatives.
Experience directing the review and evaluation of engineering studies, facility assessments, design intent documents, construction documents, technical analyses, technical specifications, Statements of Work, government cost estimates, engineering recommendations, and related engineering products supporting complex facilities and infrastructure projects.
Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating engineering standards, technical guidance, design review procedures, and quality assurance processes to support consistent execution of architecture and engineering programs and compliance with applicable engineering requirements.
Experience directing multidisciplinary engineering activities supporting facility modernization, repair and alteration projects, infrastructure improvements, engineering studies, project delivery, and lifecycle management of facilities and building systems.
Experience resolving complex engineering and architectural issues involving facility systems, infrastructure, engineering standards, regulatory requirements, technical risk, and project execution, and providing authoritative technical consultation to executive leadership, contractors, architectural and engineering firms, and Federal partners.
Experience ensuring engineering activities, technical products, and project deliverables comply with applicable Federal laws, regulations, building codes, Executive Orders, accessibility requirements, sustainability requirements, engineering standards, and agency policies while supporting nationwide facilities and infrastructure programs.
AND
You must also meet the following requirement(s):

  • TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens".

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.
Go to Understanding the IRS Paybands for GS/IR conversion.

Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER

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