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.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1054 O*NET: 25-1054.00
Median Salary
$97,360
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Physics Teachers, Postsecondary do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$54,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$66,730
25th percentile
Median
$97,360
50th percentile
Experienced
$130,150
75th percentile
Top Earners
$169,740
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$54,880
25th
$66,730
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$97,360
Mean: $105,460
75th
$130,150
90th
$169,740
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $114,860 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $66,730 and $130,150
- •Salary spread is 65.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 13,590 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:17,100
Top Industries
Educational Services30.2%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools30%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.5%
Annual Openings:1,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)17,100
Current
2034 (Projected)17,500
+2.5%
+400
Employment Change
+2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Physics Teachers, Postsecondary professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
Texas
1,340 jobs$97,5001.09x
New York
1,140 jobs$105,3601.35x
California
1,070 jobs$128,1900.67x
Pennsylvania
750 jobs$93,7701.42x
Virginia
610 jobs$100,4401.69x
New Jersey
580 jobs$83,7101.56x
Massachusetts
560 jobs$98,2201.74x
Illinois
530 jobs$81,9400.99x
Michigan
440 jobs$105,7901.13x
North Carolina
430 jobs$85,6800.99x
Ohio
420 jobs$80,7700.87x
Tennessee
380 jobs$80,0001.32x
Florida
350 jobs$56,0600.40x
Maryland
300 jobs$102,8101.24x
Indiana
300 jobs$101,7801.08x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Instructing
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Science
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Learning Strategies
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Instructing
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Science
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Learning Strategies
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Instructing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Science
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Astronomers82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Biochemists and Biophysicists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Learning Strategies
- →Active Learning
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Science
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Science
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
The MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechPerl
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
C
Microsoft Outlook
C++
Perl
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (10)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (2)Communication & Coordination (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Supervise students' laboratory work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value achievement
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.52
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.46
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.39
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.14
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.14
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.11
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.1
Attention to Detail
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Cooperation
4.0
Independence
4.0
Initiative
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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