Profession of nuclear physicist. Nuclear reactors languish without people

People first started talking about nuclear physicists at the end of the 19th century, when the atom was discovered. Atomic physics deals with the study of the structure of the atomic nucleus, what reactions it enters into, and what the consequences may be. Despite the fact that the pioneers of a rare profession were foreign employees who discovered the concept of radioactivity and obtained polonium and radium, Russian researchers of our time are also not lagging behind.

How much do nuclear physicists earn in Russia in 2019 is of interest to those who are passionate about science and learning new things.

Where do nuclear physicists work?

Nuclear scientists become those who are ready to work in the research field, engage in scientific work in laboratories and institutes. The knowledge that newly minted nuclear physicists receive allows them to work at enterprises in the nuclear energy segment. Employees monitor technological processes and manage companies involved in the petrochemical industry.

What skills should a nuclear physicist have?

A specialist must have the following skills:

  1. Explore molecular engineering and nuclear technology.
  2. Design the latest generation devices, equipment and materials.
  3. To develop systems whose operation is based on electronics, we are talking about physical devices.
  4. Compose and execute documents that are technical.
  5. Monitor the safety and compliance of discoveries and developments with technical standards established in Russia.
  6. Select highly qualified personnel who understand the specifics of nuclear physics.
  7. Select technical equipment.
  8. Be able to properly install equipment at work sites.
  9. Regulate the quality of manufactured products.
  10. Monitor nuclear safety.
  11. Have skills in installing and using preliminary samples of instruments and equipment.
  12. Be able to evaluate the prospects of manufactured products.
  13. Create and format instructions on how to use programs and equipment.
  14. Effectively coordinate the actions of the work team and correctly distribute responsibilities according to abilities and capabilities.
  15. Organize production processes efficiently.

What else can a nuclear physicist do in Russia?

Nuclear physics in Russia is a rare profession, and accordingly, the number of available jobs in this area is limited. It is especially difficult for young professionals who have just graduated from universities to find a job, and it is even more difficult to earn big money.

Therefore, nuclear scientists are increasingly engaged in related activities; they have enough knowledge for this:

  1. Hydropower.
  2. Programmer.
  3. Electronics engineer.
  4. An engineer who manages control systems powered by electronics.
  5. Energetic.
  6. An engineer engaged in calculations of nuclear equipment modes.

When a nuclear physicist is just starting his career, you can’t count on a big salary in Russia. In 2019, specialists receive no more than 20,000 rubles. If an employee has extensive work experience, 10 years or more, you can earn an income of 50,000 rubles. The quality of the work done, reviews from superiors and work experience dramatically influence the amount of wages.

Problems of nuclear physics in Russia

In 2019, Russia continues to experience an outflow of nuclear specialists. People with extraordinary intelligence and knowledge are leaving Russia, wanting to live a better life. Of course, some enroll in master's programs so that they can later teach the discipline to students. But there are not enough institutes for all talented nuclear scientists.

In 2019, the Russian Government allocated money from the budget for scientific research in the field of nuclear physics. Therefore, analysts do not recommend that compatriots rush to leave the country. A decrease in those wishing to leave their homeland is predicted.

Prospects for the profession in the future

Some believe that nuclear energy and the nuclear profession will not be popular in the future. And there is some truth in this. The fact is that now uranium 235 acts as fuel. Nuclear fuel is decreasing every year and scientists warn that in a few more decades there will be no valuable uranium 235 on Earth at all. Accordingly, nuclear physicists will simply have nothing to explore in half a century.

Experts have found an additional source - reserves of uranium 238, which could last for thousands of years. But first you need to extract this isotope. You need to invest a lot of money in the process. After all, production is associated with the following nuances:

  • fast reactors need to be developed;
  • successfully put them into operation.

These tasks require large material costs and time. Not every nuclear physicist can handle this issue. Those who have extraordinary intelligence will have to pay a lot. And this is expensive for the budget, which goes into the red every year.

In the future, scientists predict the onset of an energy catastrophe. In difficult times, nuclear scientists will definitely be remembered again, but no one knows exactly when this will happen. Therefore, it makes sense to learn a complex profession in order to be able to get a job in a similar specialty.

Of course, this article will not talk about work in the CIS, but about those places where money is paid for work. There are countless science-related professions in the world. There are even more stereotypes that being a scientist is self-sacrifice, because you have to choose either business and money, or doing science.
We decided to think about whether a scientific profession really interferes with making money? Or is big earnings the exclusive prerogative of a software engineer?

1. Oil production

You can expect the highest salary if you are a petroleum engineer. It so happens that the battle for resources on our planet costs money, and oil and gas production is the most profitable. If you are well-versed in methods for extracting valuable resources from the earth, and are also willing to offer new ones, you can expect an average annual salary of $128 thousand.

2. Physics

Looking at the salaries of our physicists, this profession cannot be called profitable. However, scientists are valued much more in the world. Physicists are engaged in extensive research into the origins of everything around us. A good budget is often allocated for these activities, so a physicist can earn up to $107 thousand a year.

3. Computer Science Specialists

This profession involves the development of computer technologies, programming languages, technical support and much more. Computer scientists are jacks of all trades, so they can expect to earn $100,000 a year.

4. Hardware control and support engineer

This profession is one of the most in demand in our time. Good specialists who grasp everything “on the fly” in the field of electrical engineering, testing, as well as in hardware and software development are worth their weight in gold. It is not surprising that the salary for such a job reaches $100 thousand a year.

5. Nuclear engineer

A very nice and useful profession. A good nuclear engineer is worth his weight in gold in the field of energy production, operation of nuclear power plants, and nuclear waste disposal. And the work is interesting, and they pay an impressive $100 thousand a year.

6. Astronomer

Being an astronomer is not only interesting, but also profitable. The world's space exploration programs often receive impressive funding. Both at the state level and from private companies. Not everyone on this planet has given up yet; some continue to stare into the infinity of black space, receiving, on average, almost $100 thousand a year for this.

7. Software engineer

One of the most in demand and popular professions these days. Of course, not many people can master it, otherwise it wouldn’t be so highly paid.
Creating new operating systems, developing software, and even creating new computer games - any modern company cannot do without a software engineer. And the average salary in this field in the world is $95 thousand.

8. Mathematician

Of course, school mathematics teachers cannot count on high salaries (an offensive disadvantage of our time). However, there are mathematicians who actually engage in large-scale research, both for the development of certain technologies and for solving the most important theories of our time. Such research is often well-funded, so mathematicians can earn up to $95,000 a year.

9. Design engineer

More precisely, an aerospace design engineer.

To fly epically on a rocket into space, you first need to design it. Humanity is only at the dawn of space travel, and for some reason is more focused on the internal troubles of our small planet, but attempts to conquer outer space do not stop.

On many NASA or SpaceX projects, a design engineer can earn up to $93 thousand per year.

10. Other sciences

Scientific research in other fields other than astronomy, physics and mathematics is also in full swing, although not with such strong funding. In most countries of the world, intellectual work is valued, and therefore salaries in such areas attract young and talented scientists who strive to make the world a better place.
The average salary for a scientist in developed countries is $91 thousand per year.

Regarding nature, the dominant place undoubtedly belongs to physics. We are surrounded by physical bodies, things happen around us and we ourselves are part of this endless process. The versatility of this area of ​​knowledge is difficult to overestimate, just as it is difficult to indicate the limits of its distribution. Almost all living and nonliving matter can be explained by its laws, and this is amazing. But perhaps the greatest number of mysteries and discoveries is fraught with nuclear physics.

History of appearance and specifics of the profession

Who is a nuclear physicist, what is this profession? To answer such questions, we must go back in time, to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the atom was discovered, and scientists determined that nuclear or atomic physics itself is one of the areas of this science, the subject of which is the atom, its structure and properties, radioactive decays and much more. The first kind of nuclear physicist, although such a term did not yet exist, was the French scientist A. Becquerel. It was he who, continuing the experiments of the great Roentgen, discovered radioactivity as a physical phenomenon. Other famous physicists and mathematicians - the Curie couple - continued their research, obtaining polonium and radium. Rutherford made an invaluable contribution to the study of this phenomenon, defining the main paths of physical science for many years to come.

The beginning, as they say, has been made. And the first half of the 20th century passed under the banner of studying the properties of the atom, atomic energy, its destructive and creative forces. The atomic nucleus, proton and neutron as its main components attracted the close attention of not only physicists, but also chemists, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, and technicians, which contributed to the emergence of new scientific branches and disciplines adjacent to the main one. And nuclear physics is gradually transforming into an independent field, consisting of such sections as:

Ultimately, in order to study how radiation affects the environment and people, how to control what to do with nuclear waste, how to operate various thermonuclear installations correctly and safely, the profession of nuclear physicist was “created.”

The task of specialists is to identify errors and eliminate their root causes. The profession requires from him thorough, solid knowledge and excellent theoretical and practical training. Areas of competence include, in addition to fundamental concepts, knowledge of the structure of reactors, the technology of their operation, the ability to diagnose, work with special instruments and much more. It is the nuclear physicist who makes the conclusion about how efficient and environmentally safe it is. He decides to start the rector or stop it, leave it running at the same pace or reboot.

Scope of application

The profession of a nuclear physicist is in demand, first of all, in such high-tech industries as the operation of nuclear power plants, in research and experimental laboratories, universities, etc.

There are familiar “school” professions that are not limited to teaching. Their representatives are associated with unique scientific research, which involves putting forward theories, identifying new laws, and practicing all this in their works. Such specialists are specifically associated with physics, which allows them to receive salaries of several hundred thousand rubles.

A nuclear physicist is a highly qualified employee of a nuclear power plant, engaged in the operation, maintenance and monitoring of modern equipment of nuclear and thermonuclear installations of various classifications. Fulfilling one's job responsibilities, like an engineer's, requires a person to have high intellectual costs.

Modern labor market

As of the end of 2017, the greatest demand for physicists in various fields was observed in St. Petersburg and the Moscow region. In these regions there were more than 1,000 proposals from businesses and individuals. The Novosibirsk region closes the top three with an indicator slightly exceeding 150 vacancies.

Official statistics among physicists are based on information that Rostrud has from tax authorities, which receive monthly deductions for any officially employed employee.

If you analyze offers on specialized Internet resources that post vacancies, the level of income will be completely different. This is explained by the fact that nuclear power plants, for example, rarely require such specialists. Most offers from employers concern employment in educational institutions.

The salary level of a physicist at a minimum does not reach 10,000 rubles, and at a maximum it exceeds 100,000. The latter is far from the limit, since there are many cases where highly qualified specialists engaged in theoretical developments in the atomic field had earnings higher than their colleagues from the United States of America.

Job overview

The profession of physicist includes a wide variety of specialties, one way or another related to this science. Teachers have a minimum level of knowledge and skills.

Those who work in positions such as physicist-engineer, nuclear engineer, or oil worker have higher qualifications.

Next we are talking about specialists of a narrow circle, who can be called creative individuals. The main activity of such physicists is to work on innovative inventions that were not known to mankind before.

To get a rough idea of ​​the vacant positions related to the activities of these specialists, you can use the table.

VacancyCitySalary, rub.Note
Physics teacherStavropol35 000 Availability of higher specialized education, experience working with children
Physicist engineerNefteyugansk45 000 The work involves monitoring the proper operation of technological equipment
Technician-physicistMoscow55 000 Installer of household appliances with mandatory knowledge of physics
Assistant ManagerSaint Petersburg45 000 The production of low-voltage equipment requires a specialist with a good knowledge of physics
Nuclear physicistMoscow65 000 Shift work in the USA related to the maintenance of nuclear power plant equipment
Analytical physicistTomsk40 000 Development of physical and mathematical models in the field of interaction of ionizing radiation with matter, dosimetry
Physicist engineerLipetsk35 000 Modeling the parameters of ionizing radiation fields caused by a complex spatial distribution source
PhysicistSamara1000 Explain, repeat and consolidate with an 11th grader the knowledge of the completed course according to the school curriculum
Physics teacherMoscow region, Krasnogorsk60 000 Instill in children a love of physics, the implementation of the learning process, preparation for the EGE and OGE. Work in a private school, salary depends on student performance
Leading engineer-physicistVolgograd50 000–60 000 Conducting research and development. Drawing up plans, schedules and methods for carrying out these procedures. Support and reporting, analysis of information received
Physics teacherKaliningrad35 000 Working with children, permanent employment, workload of at least 30 hours per week

Note! These vacancies do not provide the full range of opportunities associated with physics education. The salary amount is given as of the beginning of 2019.

A nuclear engineer is a professional who is skilled in the study of the structures and properties of atomic nuclei. The specialist is responsible for the processes of atom splitting at specialized stations and the continuity of the work process. As a result, electricity is sent to consumers. How much does a nuclear physicist earn in different countries?

How much does an expert’s labor cost in the Russian Federation?

Nuclear energy specialists are valued at a high level. These employees control the functioning thermonuclear installations, identify errors and correct them.

The average salary of a nuclear physicist in Russia is 30 thousand rubles(about 517 US dollars) monthly.

Most of the open vacancies are concentrated in the Moscow region.

In the structure of the regions of the state, employee salaries look like this:

  • Krasnoyarsk Territory – 30,000 rubles. / $517;
  • Sverdlovsk region – 30,350 rubles. / 523 bucks;
  • Republic of Tatarstan – 35,000 RUB / 603 USD;
  • Novosibirsk territory – 50,000 ₱ / 862 USD;
  • Moscow region – 60,000 rub / 1034 $.

Mostly employers offer certified specialists' earnings range 25,600 – 39,200 ₱/ 441 – 675 USD In most cases, you can find employment in government agencies.


  • directional drilling engineer – 120 thousand rubles. / $2069;
  • master with knowledge of English - 90,000 ₱ / 1551 bucks;
  • fuel and lubricants specialist -80,000 RUB / 1379 USD;
  • leading PIC executor – 70,000 rub / 1207 USD;
  • construction laboratory engineer – 64,500 rubles /
  • drilling expert – ₱62,500 / $1,112;
  • chief developer – 60,250 rub. / $1038;
  • CNC programmer – 58,750 RUB / 1012 bucks;
  • water supply specialist – 55,000 rub / 948 USD

The value of an employee in the nuclear energy segment is determined by practical experience. Success in finding a high-paying position is real.

Vacancies

State Corporation Career Center " Rosatom» offers earnings in Moscow in the amount of 15,000 rubles/ $258. In the future, the specialist’s profit will be minimal 45 thousandRUB/ 778 bucks.


The student must fulfill a number of requirements:

  • carry out exactly the approved program;
  • report systematically to the practice manager;
  • carry out analysis of production activities;
  • control the functioning of systems;
  • provide operational information about the object.

The value of nuclear workers of different structures

In Russian state corporations, the starting price is the figure in 30-50 thousand ₱/ 517-862 USD The salary is tied to the professional characteristics of the specialist.


In countries around the world, the picture of experts’ incomes is as follows:

  • Polar region, Kola Peninsula of the Russian Federation – 110 thousand RUB / 1895 dollars;
  • military nuclear engineers - from 80,000 rubles / 1379 bucks;
  • employees of stationary nuclear power plants – 40 thousand ₱ + regional payments (50-100%);
  • branches in Eastern Europe - an expert earns from $800.
  1. A beginner specialist can count on a monthly profit of ₱25,000 / 431 USD,
  2. Average rank performer – 30,000 RUB / 517 USD,
  3. Expert – about 70 thousand rubles. / 1206 bucks.

In Germany

There is a high demand for quality workers at nuclear power plants in Germany. Therefore graduates Universities move there for successful employment.

Some specialists are undergoing programs to participate in the hadron collider project.

The best have a salary of 1500 and more euros monthly!

How much do specialists get paid in Ukraine?

The value of nuclear physicists in Ukraine leaves much to be desired. The average salary of a professional in the country is modest 6000 hryvnia/ 222 USD. Most of the jobs are open in the Zhytomyr region.


Colleagues of engineers at nuclear power plants earn the following money:

  • communications engineer – 61,250 UAH. / 2268 USD;
  • master with knowledge of a foreign language – 53,540 UAH / 1982 $;
  • petroleum products specialist – 38,070 hryvnia/$1,410;
  • the cadastral expert receives 30,000 UAH. / 1111 bucks;
  • mining foreman – 28,560 UAH / 1057 dollars;
  • certification professional / 28,000 hryvnia / 1037 USD;
  • leading hydraulics worker – 19,387 UAH. / $718;
  • commissioning engineer – tariff 18,000 UAH / 667 USD.

US employee price

A qualified nuclear engineer in the USA earns decent money. The annual revenue of a professional in the nuclear energy segment typically exceeds 100 thousand dollars.