The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) has performed a study of over 5,000 quantum job postings that were made on the QED-C and Quantum Computing Report websites in the 2018 to 2023 time frame to ascertain what educational levels the hiring organizations were looking for. Although some my believe that one needs a PhD in order to work in the quantum industry, the CQE study found that this was not the case. By examining the job postings, they determine when a particular job required a PhD, Masters, BS, Associates or other form of education.
The CQE study also talked to some hiring organizations to hear about their experiences. In one instance, a company hired someone who had a background in cake decoration who was able to leverage her abilities in precision hand-eye coordination for a technician role that required placing extremely small components and bonding them onto glass cells. In another case a quantum optics manufacturer hired individuals with experience at jewelry makers because of their experience with metals and laser welding under a microscope. Although there will always be a need for a few people who hold PhDs, positions that involve things like coding in Python, working with analog circuits, or etching semiconductor wafers won’t need that level of education. In fact, the study found that the percentage of new positions requiring PhD’s has been decreasing over the past few years.
The demand for workers is also expected to increase as the industry grows. Many organizations, including the CQE, are working on projects to develop a workforce and train individuals for these jobs. The salaries can be good too, with many positions exceeding $100,000 per year in salary.
For those interested in seeing the full report, you can find it posted on the CQE website here.
September 11, 2024
