Research laboratory, physics salary

Occupation: Research Laboratory Assistant in Physics

As a research laboratory assistant in physics, often referred to as a laboratory engineer, you work on performing and analyzing experiments in a laboratory environment. Your work is central to research and development, where you help create, test, and improve theories and products. Typical tasks include preparing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and compiling and reporting results.

Salary for Research Laboratory Assistant in Physics

What does a research laboratory assistant in physics earn? The average salary is 39 900 kronor per month. However, there is a difference in salary based on gender. Men in this occupation earn an average of 40 900 kronor, while women earn 39 000 kronor, meaning that women earn 95% of what their male counterparts do. For hourly employees, the average hourly wage is 240 kronor, based on 166 working hours per month.

Salary Development

A positive salary development has been noted, with the average salary increasing from 38 700 kronor to 39 900 kronor since the last measurement. The highest salary for a research laboratory assistant in physics is 49900 kronor, a salary earned by a male private sector employee with a research education. The highest salary for a woman in the same occupation is 48600 kronor, while the lowest salary for a female research laboratory assistant is 29000 kronor, referring to a woman in the public sector with a high school education. For men, the lowest salary is 34600 kronor.

Educational Requirements and Career Paths

To become a research laboratory assistant in physics, a higher education in physics, chemistry, or related fields is usually required. Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, but depending on the job responsibilities, a master's degree or higher education may be necessary. Practical experience from laboratory work during education is often a requirement.

Career Opportunities

This occupation offers a variety of career paths. You can specialize in a specific research area or enhance your opportunities by furthering your education to become a researcher or earn a doctorate. There are also opportunities to advance to leadership roles, such as laboratory manager or project leader.

Future Outlook and Job Market

The job market for research laboratory assistants in physics is part of a broader category of technically oriented professions. The Public Employment Service's forecasts do not provide a specific assessment for this occupational group due to limited data, but generally, there may be opportunities in both academic and industrial research environments.

Working Conditions and Benefits

The work environment for a research laboratory assistant in physics is often laboratory-based, which may involve working with advanced equipment and techniques. Benefits may vary depending on the employer, but it is not uncommon for employees to have access to paid further education, research resources, and sometimes the opportunity to work from home depending on the nature of the job tasks.

Challenges in the Profession

Working as a research laboratory assistant in physics may involve certain challenges such as time pressure to meet research deadlines, accuracy in experiments and analyses, and the need to constantly update knowledge in the field. Despite these challenges, the profession offers an exciting and intellectually stimulating work environment for those passionate about science and innovation.

Summary

In conclusion, the occupation of a research laboratory assistant in physics offers a dynamic and technically advanced career path with good opportunities for development. Despite some salary differences and challenges, it is a profession for those interested in science seeking a balance between practical work and theoretical science.