Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Career, Salary and Skills
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $100,310 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 13,090. Wage data is published for 111 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
25-1054.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$100,310
Hourly median
Not published
Employment
13,090
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.25 | 4.38 |
| Science | 4.12 | 4.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 5.00 |
| Speaking | 4.12 | 5.00 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.62 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Active Learning | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.75 | 3.88 |
Typical tasks
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- 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.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Blackboard Learn
- C
- C++
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Edmodo
- Email software
- FFTPACK
- FFTW
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Geant4
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in CAMedian $139,420 · Employment 1,130
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in TXMedian $97,760 · Employment 1,110
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NYMedian $103,100 · Employment 1,080
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in New York, NYMedian $104,690 · Employment 870
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in MAMedian $111,280 · Employment 680
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in VAMedian $104,490 · Employment 610
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in PAMedian $98,370 · Employment 580
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in ILMedian $94,900 · Employment 540
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NJMedian $98,920 · Employment 530
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Boston, MAMedian $128,640 · Employment 510
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in MIMedian $109,090 · Employment 460
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NCMedian $87,370 · Employment 440
Related careers
- Biochemists and BiophysicistsNational median $127,410
- Computer and Information Research ScientistsNational median $140,300
- Nanosystems EngineersNational median $122,930
- Bioengineers and Biomedical EngineersNational median $109,370
- Molecular and Cellular BiologistsNational median $98,920
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle SchoolNational median $65,030
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $66,120
- MathematiciansNational median $126,710
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.