Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median $100,310 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$100,310
$48.23 per hour
Range
$60,200 – $177,850
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
13,090
across the U.S.
▲3.0%
Pay trend: The median for physics teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. rose from $97,360 (May 2024) to $100,310 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 0.6%.
What physics teachers, postsecondary do
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,100
Employment of physics teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$79,398
per year · effective tax rate 20.8%
$6,617Monthly
$3,308Twice a month
$3,054Every 2 weeks
$38.17Hourly
- Federal income tax$13,238
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,219
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,454
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$79,398
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,200 | $28.94 | $50,551 |
| 25th percentile | $74,050 | $35.60 | $60,924 |
| Median (50th) | $100,310 | $48.23 | $79,398 |
| 75th percentile | $132,650 | $63.77 | $101,932 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,850 | $85.50 | $132,826 |
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $139,420 | +8.8% | $96,011 | $80,060 – $239,200+ | 1,130 |
| Connecticut | $112,410 | −5.8% | $83,303 | $65,270 – $214,810 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $111,280 | +13.3% | $81,771 | $63,660 – $213,120 | 680 |
| Maryland | $110,980 | +7.9% | $81,985 | $63,130 – $223,870 | 300 |
| Michigan | $109,090 | +3.1% | $81,189 | $55,450 – $176,760 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $108,850 | +4.2% | $81,403 | $80,800 – $142,800 | 70 |
| Delaware | $108,810 | +29.5% | $79,537 | $83,040 – $214,320 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $107,240 | +3.9% | $78,504 | $65,150 – $164,950 | 250 |
| Idaho | $106,040 | +49.4% | $78,917 | $64,340 – $148,100 | 50 |
| Virginia | $104,490 | +4.0% | $77,145 | $52,640 – $171,100 | 610 |
| Oregon | $104,320 | +4.9% | $73,921 | $71,310 – $164,720 | 230 |
| Iowa | $104,270 | +3.9% | $78,873 | $66,490 – $222,150 | 120 |
| Maine | $104,270 | +1.7% | $76,224 | $67,750 – $180,530 | 60 |
| New York | $103,100 | −2.1% | $76,318 | $61,320 – $209,940 | 1,080 |
| Indiana | $102,970 | +1.2% | $78,261 | $61,600 – $161,080 | 270 |
| North Dakota | $101,700 | — | $79,652 | $62,200 – $139,990 | 40 |
| Georgia | $101,580 | +3.9% | $75,642 | $63,710 – $168,000 | 210 |
| Missouri | $99,970 | +17.8% | $75,398 | $56,140 – $164,810 | 230 |
| Utah | $99,860 | +23.2% | $75,554 | $51,610 – $159,570 | 120 |
| Colorado | $99,280 | +25.4% | $75,014 | $52,870 – $161,810 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $99,050 | — | $78,512 | $53,630 – $235,610 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $98,920 | +18.2% | $74,309 | $34,480 – $178,220 | 530 |
| Nebraska | $98,460 | +10.2% | $74,496 | $61,240 – $165,280 | 70 |
| Vermont | $98,390 | +16.8% | $74,014 | $64,570 – $129,260 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,370 | +4.9% | $75,013 | $59,160 – $134,610 | 580 |
| West Virginia | $98,320 | +30.3% | $74,194 | $56,940 – $129,780 | 50 |
| Montana | $98,050 | −7.8% | $73,629 | $59,950 – $170,770 | 70 |
| Texas | $97,760 | +0.3% | $77,604 | $60,590 – $167,090 | 1,110 |
| Kansas | $97,140 | −5.7% | $72,547 | $48,440 – $171,150 | 110 |
| Washington | $96,930 | +16.3% | $77,020 | $57,580 – $166,100 | 310 |
| Nevada | $96,330 | +15.5% | $76,598 | $68,050 – $133,100 | 90 |
| Ohio | $96,310 | +19.2% | $74,718 | $47,960 – $132,700 | 420 |
| Illinois | $94,900 | +15.8% | $71,039 | $61,150 – $166,410 | 540 |
| Oklahoma | $91,580 | +7.6% | $69,681 | $48,730 – $132,750 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $90,040 | +11.1% | $69,858 | $59,080 – $151,240 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $89,630 | −2.0% | $68,515 | $68,560 – $175,810 | 210 |
| North Carolina | $87,370 | +2.0% | $67,317 | $54,890 – $143,460 | 440 |
| South Dakota | $86,010 | +4.9% | $69,338 | $56,590 – $107,950 | 30 |
| District of Columbia | $85,190 | +6.9% | $64,489 | $63,260 – $130,370 | 130 |
| Alabama | $82,750 | −1.7% | $63,172 | $58,510 – $121,120 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $81,210 | +0.3% | $62,246 | $61,470 – $128,940 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $80,630 | +0.8% | $65,553 | $57,590 – $157,710 | 340 |
| Kentucky | $80,270 | +1.5% | $62,608 | $37,810 – $138,980 | 160 |
| Florida | $74,050 | +32.1% | $60,924 | $55,370 – $104,870 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $71,160 | +15.0% | $56,777 | $57,370 – $121,310 | 100 |
| Arizona | $65,730 | −46.2% | $53,560 | $61,040 – $139,860 | 350 |
| Arkansas | $64,900 | −20.2% | $52,009 | $46,730 – $130,830 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,170 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.4% |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $94,980 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.7% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $93,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.3% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,650 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.6% |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,420 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.8% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,080 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.9% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,700 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.9% |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,070 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.5% |
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | $97,590 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.7% |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,980 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physics teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for physics teachers, postsecondary is $100,310 a year ($48.23 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,200 and the top 10% earn over $177,850. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays physics teachers, postsecondary the most?
California has the highest median pay at $139,420.
How many physics teachers, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 13,090 people work as physics teachers, postsecondary nationwide.