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Quantum computing offers work in research, hardware and software engineering, technician and manufacturing roles, IT, and business functions such as product management, sales, and education. You do not have to be a quantum physicist—or hold a PhD—for every role. The right preparation depends on the work: research roles tend to demand deeper physics and mathematics, while many engineering, technical, and business jobs build on skills from adjacent fields.
What kinds of jobs are available in quantum computing?
Quantum computing is a developing field, but the work already spans more than designing algorithms or studying quantum mechanics. A UK Quantum Skills Taskforce report groups scientific, engineering, and technical occupations across nine broad classifications and emphasizes demand for both quantum specialists and people with established technical skills. QED-C workforce estimates presented to the U.S. Congress likewise show a mix of functions: engineering represented 24.8% of the 2024 quantum workforce, IT 11.9%, research 11.6%, and business development 11.6%.
These figures describe different workforce classifications and should not be treated as a complete census of everyone whose work touches quantum technology. They do, however, illustrate why career options extend beyond physics research.
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Research and quantum-specialist roles
Examples include quantum algorithms scientists, experimental quantum physicists, and specialists in quantum computing and related science. These jobs may involve developing algorithms, investigating quantum systems, or advancing the underlying science. Research-heavy academic and national-laboratory positions are more likely than many industry roles to expect graduate-level study.
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Hardware, systems, and engineering
Quantum systems depend on engineering across areas such as electrical and mechanical engineering, photonics, optics, radio frequency (RF), and quantum control. Engineers may work on control systems, packaging, integration, scaling, manufacturing, or reliability. Much of the foundation comes from established engineering disciplines, supplemented by quantum-specific knowledge or training.
Technician, lab, and manufacturing roles
Technicians and manufacturing staff can support assembly, testing, laboratory work, and production. A Montana employer snapshot included technician-in-training and photonics technician roles and highlighted hands-on abilities such as electronics and optics fundamentals, good lab practices, working with mechanical and electrical components, computer-aided design (CAD), assembly, and manufacturing experience. These are examples from one regional snapshot, not a universal list of job titles or requirements.
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Software, algorithms, and IT
Software engineers, full-stack developers, algorithm developers, and IT staff can build or support software and computing systems used in quantum work. A Montana snapshot, for example, listed full-stack and algorithm developer roles. The precise balance between conventional software skills and quantum-specific knowledge depends on the position.
Commercial and enabling functions
Quantum organizations also need business development, sales, operations, project and product management, consulting, education, and legal and corporate support. The UK Taskforce notes that such contributions can call for quantum knowledge or awareness without requiring deep quantum-physics expertise. People in these roles still need the core skills of their profession.
Do quantum-computing jobs require a PhD?
No. The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) analyzed more than 5,000 quantum-technology job postings and found that a bachelor’s degree or less was listed as the required education level in 52% of postings in 2021, 56% in 2022, and 55% in 2023. In industry postings, the corresponding shares were 64%, 66%, and 62%.
Those figures describe the postings in CQE’s study; they do not guarantee that a particular opening is entry-level or that a degree alone is enough to qualify. Education expectations also varied by sector and discipline in the study: engineering postings leaned more toward bachelor’s-level qualifications, physics postings more toward PhDs, and computer science postings showed a more even division. Treat these as patterns in that dataset, not fixed rules for every employer.
What skills and preparation fit each path?
Start with the tasks in a specific job description, then match your preparation to them. The UK Taskforce report, CQE findings, and Montana employer examples point to several broad pathways.
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| Career path | Useful preparation and skills |
|---|---|
| Research and quantum science | Strong physics, mathematics, computing, and research preparation; graduate study is more likely to be expected for research-heavy roles. |
| Engineering and systems | Relevant experience in electrical, mechanical, photonics, optical, RF, software, or systems engineering, paired with quantum-specific learning where the role requires it. |
| Technician and manufacturing | Hands-on laboratory, assembly, testing, electronics, optics, component, CAD, or manufacturing skills relevant to the equipment and work. |
| Software and IT | Software-development, algorithm-development, or computing experience; the amount of quantum-specific knowledge depends on the position. |
| Business and enabling roles | Expertise in the relevant profession—such as sales, product, operations, education, or law—plus enough quantum knowledge to work effectively in the sector. |
Adjacent experience can be a useful starting point. CQE found employers highlighting curiosity, basic retraining, and skills from other fields. Some postings open to candidates without PhDs nevertheless asked for experience in a quantum-adjacent area such as computing or engineering, so “no PhD required” does not mean “no relevant experience required.”
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How can you build a pathway into the field?
Training options identified by the UK Quantum Skills Taskforce include engineering apprenticeships, continuing professional development, industry placements, quantum modules within relevant engineering degrees, and master’s programmes designed around industry needs. The U.S. National Quantum Initiative also recommends addressing training gaps specific to quantum information science and technology (QIST) and making careers more accessible. These are workforce-development recommendations, not a promise of employment after completing a course.
- Choose a role family. Decide whether you are aiming at research, engineering, hands-on technical work, software, or a business function. The day-to-day tasks matter more than the broad label “quantum.”
- Identify the skills the work actually uses. Compare the education and experience requested in relevant job descriptions with your existing discipline. Note whether the gap is quantum knowledge, practical lab work, software, or another professional skill.
- Build from your strongest adjacent base. An engineer might add quantum modules or targeted professional development; a technician might focus on lab, assembly, and test experience; a software developer might deepen relevant computing and algorithm skills.
- Look for structured exposure. Apprenticeships, placements, continuing education, and industry-aligned degree programmes are among the pathways highlighted by the Taskforce. Check each program’s curriculum and practical experience against the roles you want.
The Taskforce captures the distinction between specialist and broader roles: “Most of these roles will not require deep expertise in quantum physics but will require some form of quantum knowledge or awareness.”
How large is the quantum-computing job market?
QED-C estimates presented in 2025 congressional testimony put the global pure-play quantum workforce at 14,517 professionals in 2024. The same analysis counted more than 7,300 quantum-related job and internship openings in both 2023 and 2024. These are historical estimates and counts, not live vacancy listings or a guarantee that openings remain available.
“Pure-play” workers are not the same as everyone whose job is quantum-engaged. The UK Taskforce report, CQE’s analysis of 2021–2023 postings, QED-C’s global estimates, and the Montana employer snapshot cover different populations and geographies; their figures should not be combined into one comprehensive labor-market series. The evidence cited here does not establish a comparable current salary range.
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