Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Adjunct Professor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Instructor · Physical Science Professor · Physics Instructor
Median pay (national)
$97,360
$54,880–$169,740 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
13,590
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2.5%
~1,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for physics teachers, postsecondary shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $169,740 versus $54,880 at the bottom 10% — 3.1x. The median of $97,360 leaves roughly 74% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2.5% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 46 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $128,190, +32% vs the national median), while Florida sits lowest at $56,060 — a 129% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Science as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Learning management system LMS as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Science
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
- Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Tools & technology
- Learning management system LMS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C
- C++
- Microsoft Windows
- Perl
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Blackboard Learn
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Edmodo
- FFTPACK
- FFTW
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical