💡 Why it matters: Quantum technology could one day power very fast computers, hard-to-break security and extremely precise sensors, and it will need trained scientists.
🌍 Around the world
- United States: Jobs for physicists and astronomers are projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
A job of the future expected 2030s
Governments and big tech firms are investing in quantum computers and sensors, and the field will need many more trained scientists as devices become useful.
This is an informed prediction, not a promise. The skills below are useful whichever way the future goes.
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦2.5M – ₦5.5M
- Mid-career
- ₦5.5M – ₦14M
- Senior
- ₦14M – ₦32M
≈ ₦458k – ₦1.2M a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Closest National Careers Service profile: Physicist. Typical starter to experienced salary. National Careers Service, 2026
🇺🇸 United States
Closest US category: Physicists. Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Closest Canadian category: Physicists. Hourly wage low/median/high x 2,080 hours; the median shown is from the related astrophysicist page. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Do experiments on atoms and light
- Use maths to model quantum systems
- Help build quantum devices
- Write code to test quantum ideas
- Work with engineers on real products
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Coding
- Curiosity
- Persistence
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Master's and PhD in quantum science
- Online courses in quantum computing
- Entry is through WAEC or NECO (secondary school exam) results and JAMB (UTME, the national university entrance exam)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Apprenticeships or graduate schemes in research labs and technology companies
- Online courses in quantum computing and quantum science
🇺🇸 United States
- Summer research programs for undergraduates (REU, Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
- Online courses in quantum computing and quantum science
🇨🇦 Canada
- Co-op programs at many universities that mix study with paid work terms
- Online courses in quantum computing and quantum science
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Study Physics and Mathematics deeply
- 2Take a Physics or Mathematics degree
- 3Learn Python and linear algebra
- 4Do a Master's and PhD in quantum science
- 5Join a lab or technology company
⏰ A day in the life
You adjust a laser setup to hold a single atom still, record data, then code a simulation to see how two atoms interact. After lunch you discuss results with colleagues and read a new paper.