The 5 Best Careers for Science & Engineering PhDs in 2023
If you’re thinking of pursuing a PhD in STEM but aren’t sure if it’s worthwhile, it should help to explore your career options after getting a PhD. In fact, we made a list of some of the best careers for science and engineering PhD holders to give a clearer picture of your opportunities as a PhD holder and how they differ from a regular graduate student. So, keep reading to find out more!
#1 Neurophysiologist (Psychiatrist)
A neuropsychologist studies the brain and how it relates to behavior. They can even diagnose and treat individuals with neurological illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Autism. However, some psychiatrists might specialize in specific areas as well. But whatever the case, becoming a neuropsychologist is not an easy task, especially since it involves dealing with trauma-struck, often emotionally unstable individuals. So, if you’re easily overwhelmed, you should probably consider other careers. Plus, striking a balance between work and life can also be daunting. Still, neuropsychologists are among the top 18% of happy professionals, earning around $94,134 annually – 14% more than your average psychologist. Thus, it's no wonder the field is expected to grow by at least 8% in 2023.
#2 Robotics & Mechatronics Engineer
Like other careers in tech, mechatronics and robotics engineers are very in-demand across almost all industries, including healthcare, logistics, and consumer care. They are concerned with the design, development, and operation of robots. This means they’re creative thinkers and inherent problem solvers. And, of course, they must also possess technical skills like programming. Nevertheless, they're sufficiently well-paid, with an average expected salary between $125K and $200K. What’s more, they work around 40 hours per week, though the workload tends to pile up when there are loads of deadlines to meet.
#3 Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers work at the interface of biology and IT. They have diverse responsibilities wherein they are required to design, test, and implement novel medical procedures, especially those aided by technology. Mostly, they’re hired by universities, hospitals, research organizations, and medical product manufacturers. This means they should have good critical and analytic skills, good detail orientation, and a strong sense of empathy. They make somewhere around $92,620, which is pretty decent considering they work only 40 hours a week, though work hours can largely vary depending on the stage and/or nature of the project. However, it is one of the fastest-growing fields in engineering, so you should definitely check it out!
#4 Nuclear Physicist
Nuclear physicists are just as important as they sound because they’re needed for product simulations, evaluations, and performance checks. And their job is no joke which means they’re also compensated well, with the average market salary between $110K and $147K. Plus, the field is expected to go up by 9% through 2028, much faster than other jobs. But the job is pretty tedious and demands long hours, persistence, and intense flexibility, so make sure you know what you’re up for before you opt for a PhD in physics.
#5 Data Scientist
A data science PhD will help you acquire advanced technical skills in programming, statistics, data analysis, and research. Hence, you can conduct your own research and even build tools for data analysis. However, you should be a critical thinker to excel in such a career. Of course, you might not necessarily need a PhD to get a job in this field. Still, it will definitely set you apart because a graduate student can never compete with a professional PhD data scientist. Also, with a PhD, you can earn close to $153K. And if that wasn't reason enough to become a data scientist, the field is expected to grow by a whopping 22% through 2030. Not to mention, IT careers usually have an ideal work-life balance as well – so, win-win!
What Next?
If you’re a PhD student, finding a job should not be hard for you – that is, if you only know where to look. So, keep checking in over at PhD Source and get ahead of 99% of other PhD holders today!