How much does a Plasma physicist make

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  2. Plasma physicist
Image that illustrates Plasma physicist

Plasma physicist

51 500 kr

Physicists and astronomers

41 600 - 58 500 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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Salary progression Plasma physicist

Average salary 51 500 kr
Males 51 800 kr
Females 50 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 16 Vacant jobs ->

What does a plasma physicist do? – Tasks and work environment

A plasma physicist works on studying and understanding plasma, the fourth state of matter, which occurs naturally in stars and lightning but also in technical applications such as fusion reactors, space technology, and the semiconductor industry. Tasks include experimental and theoretical research, modeling plasma phenomena, and developing advanced measurement methods. Plasma physicists are often employed at universities, research institutes, or within high-tech companies, and the work environment varies between laboratories, offices, and sometimes international collaborations. Projects can be long-term and often require collaboration in interdisciplinary teams.

Salary development over time

The salary development for plasma physicists has been steadily positive in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, which increased to 49700 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has reached 51 500 SEK per month, corresponding to an increase of about 6.2% over two years. This salary increase can partly be explained by increased demand for technical and natural science skills in both academia and industry, as well as the continued high level of education within the profession. The job market has also benefited from larger research investments in energy and space, which have positively impacted salary levels.

Plasma physicist salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 51 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, post-secondary education < 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 58,500 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, research degree)
  • Hourly wage: 310 SEK
  • Women's salary: 50 500 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
  • Men's salary: 51 800 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Limited information available

Education and qualifications

To work as a plasma physicist, a long academic education in physics is usually required, often with specialization in theoretical or experimental plasma physics. Most plasma physicists have a research degree (PhD), but there are also positions for those with a master's or master's engineering degree. Practical experience in laboratory work, programming, and modeling is an important asset in the field.

  • Research degree in physics: PhD (5+ years after undergraduate studies)
  • Master's or master's engineering degree: Physics/nanotechnology/technical physics (5 years)
  • Internships and research projects: During studies and summer research schools
  • Courses in plasma physics and numerical methods: Often required during education
  • Prerequisites in mathematics and programming: Strongly recommended

Many plasma physicists collaborate internationally and participate in large research projects, such as ITER – the world's largest fusion research facility. The international environment offers unique opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange, especially for those who want to work at the forefront of research.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In the field of plasma physics, benefits such as flexible working hours, remote work opportunities, skills development, and access to international conferences are often offered. Employees in academia may also receive research grants, while industry sometimes offers bonuses and extra vacation days. Pension schemes and health benefits are common.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a plasma physicist is relatively high, especially at research-intensive institutions and within government projects. The number of job openings in the field is limited, and many positions require advanced research training and documented research results. A major challenge is that research funding is often project-based and can be uncertain, requiring flexibility and the ability to adapt to new research areas. Additionally, international mobility is often necessary to participate in the most interesting projects.

Tips for aspiring plasma physicists

To succeed as a plasma physicist, it is good to combine strong analytical skills with perseverance and curiosity about complex problems. Engaging early in research projects or summer research schools provides valuable practical experience and networking opportunities. Attention to detail and patience are crucial when experiments and long simulations require repeated attempts. Initiative, such as applying for scholarships or participating in international collaborations, increases chances of success. Communication skills are also important, as results often need to be presented both to colleagues and at conferences. Finally, being flexible and able to adapt to rapidly changing research fields and technological advances is an advantage.

Key facts about plasma physicists

  • Average salary: 51 500 SEK/month
  • Education level: PhD or master's engineering in physics
  • Hourly wage: 310 SEK
  • Work environment: Research at universities, institutes, or high-tech companies
  • Number of job openings: 143

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a plasma physicist, there are opportunities to advance to leading roles within research projects, become a research group leader, or take responsibility for larger laboratories. It is also common to switch to related areas such as fusion technology, space physics, or industrial plasma research. Some plasma physicists choose to work internationally, especially within large research initiatives. The employment agency’s forecast for the profession is cautious, as limited data means no definitive outlook on future job prospects. However, there are 143 job openings in related fields, indicating some demand, especially for those with high education and specialized skills.

Common questions about plasma physicists

  • What does a plasma physicist earn?
    - The average salary is 51 500 SEK/month, with variation between 41,600 SEK and 58,500 SEK depending on education, experience, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a plasma physicist?
    - Usually, a doctorate in physics is required, but a master's or master's engineering degree can sometimes suffice.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like?
    - There are 143 job openings, but competition is high and many positions require research training.
  • What are common work environments?
    - Work mainly occurs at universities, research institutes, and tech companies, often in laboratories and international projects.
  • What are the biggest challenges?
    - Uncertain research funding, demands for advanced education, and international mobility are common challenges.
  • Are there opportunities for career development?
    - Yes, there are opportunities to advance to leading research roles or switch to related technical fields.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 13:17:22

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Plasma physicist is 58500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 56500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Plasma physicist is 41600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 102% 41800 kr 42100 kr
35-44 100% 49700 kr 50000 kr
45-54 102% 55800 kr 56100 kr
55-64 61000 kr 61200 kr
Snitt 97% 51200 kr 51500 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Plasma physicist has the SSYK code 2111, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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