Compensation
Median Pay
$100,310
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Physics teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$100,310
Projected Growth
2.5%
Annual Openings
1,300
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
17,100
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
2.5%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
1,300
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Mathematics
98 / 100
98%
Science
96 / 100
96%
Writing & reading
93 / 100
93%
Speaking & listening
91 / 100
91%
Computers & information technology
90 / 100
90%
Critical & analytical thinking
86 / 100
86%
Creativity & innovation
78 / 100
78%
Leadership
75 / 100
75%
Project management
74 / 100
74%
Adaptability
73 / 100
73%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Physics teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Physics teachers, postsecondary work in a specialized academic field that combines advanced physics knowledge with teaching and communication skills. Nationally, there are about 17,000 people in this occupation, with a median annual salary of $97,360. The field shows projected employment growth of 2.5%, with about 1,000 annual openings. This indicates a steady flow of opportunities for qualified candidates. The role relies on a blend of mathematics, science, and strong writing, reading, speaking, and listening abilities, supported by critical and analytical thinking. Creativity, innovation, leadership, project management, and adaptability also play important roles in this career. Individuals interested in advanced study, academic work, and mentoring students may find this path appealing. With opportunities distributed across multiple states and metro areas, candidates can consider both national and regional options when planning their careers in postsecondary physics education.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for physics teachers, postsecondary is $97,360. Earnings can vary noticeably by state and metro area. Among the top states, median salaries range from $96,930 in Washington to $139,420 in California. Massachusetts and New York also show six-figure median salaries of $111,280 and $103,100, respectively, while Colorado’s median is $99,280. At the metro level, some areas stand out even more. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro has a median salary of $172,510, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $133,360. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also shows a high median of $128,640, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $104,690 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $95,430. These figures suggest that location decisions can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Job Outlook for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics teachers, postsecondary have national employment of 17,000, with projected growth of 2.5%. This growth rate points to a modest expansion of opportunities over time. In addition, the occupation is expected to have about 1,000 annual openings. These openings can result from a mix of new positions and turnover in existing roles. The combination of a defined employment base, positive growth, and consistent annual openings indicates an accessible but competitive field. Candidates who meet the educational and skill requirements can anticipate ongoing hiring activity rather than a static job market. The uniform projected growth rate of 2.5% reported for leading states and metro areas suggests a broadly similar pace of expansion across multiple regions, giving prospective physics educators flexibility to consider different locations without large differences in projected growth alone.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary?
Geography plays a significant role in opportunities for physics teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California has the highest median salary at $139,420 and the highest CareerGPS opportunity score at 67.38, with employment of 1,130. Massachusetts and New York also rank strongly, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $111,280 and $103,100, respectively. Colorado and Washington round out the top states, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries close to the national median. All top states list a projected growth rate of 2.5%, so the main differences lie in salaries, employment size, and opportunity scores. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 870. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA offers the highest listed median salary at $172,510, while San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, DC-area metros also combine relatively high salaries with solid opportunity scores, giving candidates several attractive regional choices.
Education for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for physics teachers, postsecondary is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced level of subject matter expertise expected in this role. Success in the field relies on a strong foundation in mathematics and science, coupled with excellent writing and reading abilities. Speaking and listening skills are also important, supporting clear communication in academic settings. Critical and analytical thinking helps with complex problem-solving and evaluation, while creativity and innovation contribute to developing new ideas and approaches. Leadership and project management skills are valuable for guiding students and managing academic activities. Adaptability supports working within evolving educational environments and expectations. Individuals considering this path should be prepared for extensive graduate-level study and ongoing development of both technical and interpersonal skills to meet the demands of postsecondary physics education.
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