Physics technician
Also known as: physics lab technician, reprographics technician, nuclear physics technician, medical physics technician, physicist assistant, physics assistant
About this occupation
Physics technicians monitor physical processes and perform tests for manufacturing, educational or scientific purposes. They work in laboratories, schools or production facilities where they assist physicists in their work. Physics technicians perform technical or practical work and report about their results.
Essential skills and knowledge
- maintain laboratory equipment
- perform laboratory tests
- analyse experimental laboratory data
- scientific research methodology
- report analysis results
- apply statistical analysis techniques
- laboratory techniques
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
- assist scientific research
- gather experimental data
- use measurement instruments
- physics
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Nuclear Technicians (O*NET 19-4051.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis
US median pay: US$110,240 a year (2025), 6,470 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.0)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.0)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
- Power Plant Operators
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Geothermal Technicians
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.