Does a few years work in-between study hurt Physics PhD application to a top 20 US school? All things being equal how would a good US graduate physics admissions weigh these paths.

Scenario 1: 4 year Bachelor of Science. And then direct application to graduate school.

Scenario 2: 4 year Bachelor of Science. 2-3 years work at a government department doing mathematics (not research). And then application to graduate school.

Scenario 3: 4 year Bachelor of Science. 2-3 years work at a government department doing mathematics (not research), whilst doing a part-time 1 year Masters spread over 2 years. And then application to graduate school.

Assume scenario 1 &amp; 2 have same number of published papers, and scenario 3 adds one more paper of higher quality.
I'll offer several opinions.


Work experience does not help you get in to physics PhD programs.  It probably does not hurt either, but you should explain in your application why you did it and how it made you a better student.  Use a better explanation than the one you gave in the comments.
I actually view an MS as a black mark.  In the US, if you have an MS in Physics it implies you either
a.  Could not get in to a real PhD program.
b.  Failed out of the PhD program.
c.  Dropped out of the PhD program.
An MS in physics will cost money and essentially duplicate the first part of the physics PhD.  A PhD makes more financial sense than an MS.  This is not true in other countries or disciplines.
Publishing more will definitely help your application.  If you have lots of publications the rest of your background will be ignored.


Though you did not ask, I would like to point out that delaying the start of your PhD will delay the end of it, and the benefits that come from having completed it.  On the whole I recommend you start your PhD now, assuming you really want to get one.