Working as a Physicist
Industry Overview
Physicists make up a small part of BC’s workforce. In 2016 only 400 individuals were employed in this sector.
Most jobs are located in the Lower Mainland/ Southwest region of the province. Limited employment opportunities may also be found in the Vancouver Island and Thompson-Okanagan regions.
As a physicist, you may work closely with and perform some of the duties of engineers. Also, movement between specializations within physics and other fields of science, such as meteorology and geophysics, is possible with experience.
Job Outlook in BC
Chart from Work BC
WorkBC provides job openings in BC regions from 2022-2032:
| Region | Employment in 2022 |
Average Annual Employment Growth |
Expected Number of Job Openings |
| Vancouver Island | 90 | 1.1% | 0 |
| Lower Mainland / Southwest | 350 | 1.6% | 120 |
You can learn more about working as a physicist in BC and Canada from:
Types of Employers
Physicists are employed by:
- electronic, electrical and aerospace manufacturing companies
- telecommunications companies
- power utilities
- universities and government research laboratories
- hospitals
- a wide range of other manufacturing, research and consulting firms
Salary & Working Hours
The median annual salary for physicists working full time in BC is $108,931. Your salary depends on your level of education, experience, and the industry in which you work.
Source: WorkBC
Working Hours
Hours usually range from 8 to 10 hours a day, 40 to 60 hours a week. Overtime and weekend work is fairly common, especially when a project is nearing completion. Job-related travel usually takes up 1 to 3 weeks a year.
Source: Career Cruising