A better question might be: What can’t you do?
Our Physics majors are among the most versatile graduates. In addition to gaining a deep understanding of the physical world, our students develop highly transferable skills—analytical thinking, computational fluency, creative problem-solving, effective teamwork, and strong communication, among others. Through thoughtfully designed coursework and hands-on research, they graduate with exactly the kind of adaptable, in-demand strengths that employers and graduate programs value across a wide range of fields.
So, what do our Physics majors do after graduation?
Some go on to earn a PhD and become professors—but that’s just one of many paths. A Physics degree can open the door to a wide range of careers, both in and outside of academia. Many graduates pursue advanced degrees not only in Physics, but also in fields like engineering, computer science, business, medicine, and law. In fact, according to a recent alumni survey, two-thirds of our GT Physics majors go on to earn graduate or professional degrees—and 38% do so in a different field. And one-third of our graduates enter the workforce right after earning their degree, see graphic. Regardless of where they go, our alumni consistently report that their Physics background gave them the tools to succeed.
What about the third of GT Physics graduates with a bachelor’s degree who go directly into employment? About 60% of them start a career in industry. This trend is consistent with a larger study on the initial employment of Physics bachelors in the US published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
Figure adapted from J.Pold, P. J. Mulvey, Physics Bachelor’s Initial Employment: Academic Years 2020-21 and 2021-22. AIP Research, 2025. The full report, which includes details on salary ranges, job satisfaction, and skills used, can be found at https://ww2.aip.org/statistics/physics-bachelors-initial-employment-booklet-academic-years-2020-21-and-2021-22. STEM refers to natural science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Regularly solving technical problems refers to respondents who selected “Daily”, “Weekly”, or “Monthly” on a four-point scale that also included “Rarely or Never”.
The career paths of Physics bachelors are remarkably diverse, with graduates finding positions in settings ranging from small tech startups to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. The ways they apply their physics background are just as varied. Some use specific knowledge from their courses or research projects to tackle real-world physics problems, while others leverage their analytical and problem-solving skills in unfamiliar domains. Only a small fraction report rarely encountering technical challenges in their profession—though even in those roles, the transferable skills emphasized in our program remain essential.
So, what do they earn? Starting salaries vary by sector and role, but the AIP study cited below offers a snapshot of typical earnings right after graduation.
Figure adapted from the AIP study. It only includes starting salaries for full-time employed, US-educated physics bachelor’s degree recipients from the academic years of 2020–21 and 2021–22 combined. The box represents the middle 50% (25th to 75th percentile) of the salaries. The vertical line within the box represents the median salary. The full starting salary range, excluding outliers, is represented by the lines extending to each side of the box. The dots outside the lines are statistical outliers, but actual salaries.
What about job prospects—or getting into grad school?
It's a valid concern. With job markets becoming increasingly competitive, even graduates from traditionally “safe” majors can face uncertainty. So, is earning a Physics degree a risky move? The data say no. According to a recent nationwide study by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), only 4% of Physics bachelor's degree holders were unemployed one year after graduation. And at Georgia Tech, we believe our graduates do even better.
That’s not just thanks to Georgia Tech’s strong reputation or the excellent support offered through the Institute’s Career Center. Our School of Physics provides further career guidance tailored specifically to Physics majors. In addition to a required seminar in professional development and regular (optional) workshops, students have access to one-on-one career advising with a Physics faculty advisor who brings firsthand experience from both academia and industry recruiting.
We’re committed to helping our students succeed—and confident that they will.
