How much does a physics teacher make?
The median physics teacher in the United States earns $100,310 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all physics teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1054.
Physics teacher salary range
Pay for physics teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $60,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $177,850. The average (mean) wage of $111,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,200 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $74,050 | |
| Median (50th) | $100,310 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $132,650 | |
| 90th percentile | $177,850 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for physics teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1054), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Physics teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Physics teachers earn the most in California at $139,420 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $64,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $139,420 | 1,130 |
| Connecticut | $112,410 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $111,280 | 680 |
| Maryland | $110,980 | 300 |
| Michigan | $109,090 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $108,850 | 70 |
| Delaware | $108,810 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $107,240 | 250 |
| Idaho | $106,040 | 50 |
| Virginia | $104,490 | 610 |
| Oregon | $104,320 | 230 |
| Iowa | $104,270 | 120 |
| Maine | $104,270 | 60 |
| New York | $103,100 | 1,080 |
| Indiana | $102,970 | 270 |
| North Dakota | $101,700 | 40 |
| Georgia | $101,580 | 210 |
| Missouri | $99,970 | 230 |
| Utah | $99,860 | 120 |
| Colorado | $99,280 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $99,050 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $98,920 | 530 |
| Nebraska | $98,460 | 70 |
| Vermont | $98,390 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,370 | 580 |
| West Virginia | $98,320 | 50 |
| Montana | $98,050 | 70 |
| Texas | $97,760 | 1,110 |
| Kansas | $97,140 | 110 |
| Washington | $96,930 | 310 |
| Nevada | $96,330 | 90 |
| Ohio | $96,310 | 420 |
| Illinois | $94,900 | 540 |
| Oklahoma | $91,580 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $90,040 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $89,630 | 210 |
| North Carolina | $87,370 | 440 |
| South Dakota | $86,010 | 30 |
| District of Columbia | $85,190 | 130 |
| Alabama | $82,750 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $81,210 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $80,630 | 340 |
| Kentucky | $80,270 | 160 |
| Florida | $74,050 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $71,160 | 100 |
| Arizona | $65,730 | 350 |
| Arkansas | $64,900 | 30 |
State median wages for physics teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1054), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for physics teachers
The BLS projects employment of physics teachers to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for physics teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a physics teacher
The typical entry-level education for physics teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a physics teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $139,420) and the lowest (Arkansas, $64,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 13,090 people work as physics teachers in the United States. At $100,310 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Physics teacher salary FAQ
How much does a physics teacher make an hour?
Physics teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $100,310.
What is the highest physics teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of physics teachers earn more than $177,850 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a physics teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a physics teacher is $100,310. The average (mean) wage of $111,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a physics teacher a well paid job?
At $100,310 a year, a physics teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 13,090 people work as physics teachers in the United States.
Which state pays physics teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for physics teachers at $139,420 a year. Connecticut ($112,410) and Massachusetts ($111,280) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a physics teacher a good career?
Employment of physics teachers is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a physics teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for physics teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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