I have been studying the role of physics and the role of physicists in the education system and in the economy for twenty years. During that time I have come to several conclusions. Physics is fundamental and physics is ubiquitous. Physics and physicists play a fundamentally important role.
Physicists add to our knowledge base.
They participate in innovation and technological breakthroughs. The vast majority of people with physics degrees report that, if they had the opportunity to do it over again, they would major in physics. Ohio to Nebraska to Florida to Arizona to Texas to Illinois. In Arizona it was Burr-Brown and semiconductors. In Texas he worked for Sulzer Medica and did research on pacemakers.