The median pay for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary is $100,310 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.4% through 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1054
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Physics Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $100,310a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $60KTop 10% $178K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.4%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,10016,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202516.4K
- Projected 203516.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 16.4K Projected 2035 16.8K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's25%
- Post-master’s certificate0.4%
- Doctorate53.8%
- Post-doctoral training20.7%
Highest education held by physics teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Master's 25% Post-master’s certificate 0.4% Doctorate 53.8% Post-doctoral training 20.7%
Also advertised as: Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Instructor, Physical Science Professor, Physics Instructor.
Pay
How much do Physics Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every physics teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$100,310
Middle half earn $74,050 to $132,650
- 10th
- $60,200
- 25th
- $74,050
- 75th
- $132,650
- 90th
- $177,850
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,200 |
| 25th | $74,050 |
| Median | $100,310 |
| 75th | $132,650 |
| 90th | $177,850 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $100,310
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $111,460
- People employed
- 13,090
Versus all US occupations
At $100,310, Physics Teachers, Postsecondary earn 97% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $49,330 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 47% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $177,850 or more while the bottom 10% earn $60,200, a gap of 3.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 72% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $139,420, and still leads at $125,921 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Physics Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $139,420 | $125,921 | 1,130 |
| 2Connecticut | $112,410 | $108,493 | 260 |
| 3Massachusetts | $111,280 | $105,222 | 680 |
| 4Maryland | $110,980 | $105,737 | 300 |
| 5Michigan | $109,090 | $113,379 | 460 |
| 6New Mexico | $108,850 | $118,043 | 70 |
| 7Delaware | $108,810 | $109,019 | 70 |
| 8Minnesota | $107,240 | $108,740 | 250 |
| 9Idaho | $106,040 | $111,044 | 50 |
| 10Virginia | $104,490 | $103,349 | 610 |
Job outlook
Is Physics Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | +2.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Physics Teachers, Postsecondary to change 2.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,100 openings are projected each year, 6.7% of the 16,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of postsecondary teachers varies by occupation (see table). Both part-time and full-time postsecondary teachers are included in these projections.
The number of people attending postsecondary institutions is expected to grow over the projections decade. Students will continue to seek higher education to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary teachers will be needed to serve these additional students. Colleges and universities are likely to hire more part-time teachers to meet this demand. In all disciplines, there is expected to be a limited number of full-time nontenure and full-time tenure positions.
Getting in
How to become a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Other postsecondary teachers may need work experience in their field of expertise.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as physics teachers, postsecondary.
- Doctoral Degree53.8%
- Master's Degree25%
- Post-Doctoral Training20.7%
- Post-Master's Certificate0.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 53.8% |
| Master's Degree | 25% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 20.7% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary do?
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.
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most postsecondary teachers work full time, although part-time work is common. Postsecondary teachers who work part time may offer instruction at several colleges or universities. Some have a full-time job in their field of expertise in addition to a part-time teaching position. For example, an active lawyer or judge might teach an evening course at a law school.
College and university courses are generally during the day, although some are offered in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate students who have jobs or other obligations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Science4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Learning Strategies4.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Science | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Time Management3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Persuasion3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer based training software
- Desktop communications software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Physics Teacher, Postsecondary |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.1
- Investigative6.0
- Realistic3.8
- Conventional3.6
- Artistic3.3
- Enterprising2.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Physics Teacher, Postsecondary
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More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with physics teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Physics Teacher, Postsecondary$100,310
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Physics Teacher, Postsecondary | $100,310 |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Physics Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Physics Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Physics Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 97% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $74,050 and $132,650. The top 10% earn $177,850 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 53.8% hold doctoral degree.
Is Physics Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.4% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. A core O*NET task: prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Physics Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary are California ($139,420), Connecticut ($112,410), Massachusetts ($111,280) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Physics Teachers, Postsecondary highest on the Social, Investigative and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with INFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.