Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median physics teachers, postsecondary salary in the United States is $100,310 per year. Salaries range from $60,200 at the entry level to $177,850+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 13,090 physics teachers, postsecondary jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 2.5% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$100,310
per year
Employment
13,090
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$60,200
25th percentile
$74,050
Median
$100,310
75th percentile
$132,650
90th percentile
$177,850
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+2.5%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
1,300
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Doctoral or professional degree
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$65K$139K■ No data
Top Paying States
California
$139K
+39%
Connecticut
$112K
+12%
Massachusetts
$111K
+11%
Maryland
$111K
+11%
Michigan
$109K
+9%
New Mexico
$109K
+9%
Delaware
$109K
+8%
Minnesota
$107K
+7%
Idaho
$106K
+6%
Virginia
$104K
+4%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $139,420 | +39.0% |
| Connecticut | $112,410 | +12.1% |
| Massachusetts | $111,280 | +10.9% |
| Maryland | $110,980 | +10.6% |
| Michigan | $109,090 | +8.8% |
| New Mexico | $108,850 | +8.5% |
| Delaware | $108,810 | +8.5% |
| Minnesota | $107,240 | +6.9% |
| Idaho | $106,040 | +5.7% |
| Virginia | $104,490 | +4.2% |
Showing 1–10 of 47
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $172,510 | +72.0% |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $167,090 | +66.6% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $152,190 | +51.7% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $141,400 | +41.0% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $139,400 | +39.0% |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $138,980 | +38.6% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $133,360 | +32.9% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $132,790 | +32.4% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $130,310 | +29.9% |
| Lincoln, NE | $128,750 | +28.4% |
Showing 1–10 of 64
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A physics teachers, postsecondary earning $100,310/year would need 594 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 638 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how physics teachers, postsecondary salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary trend (2011–2024) →