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Education

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
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Median pay

$97,360
Median annual pay for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

17,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical education needed to enter Physics Teachers, Postsecondary.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Science
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Active Listening
  6. 6Critical Thinking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mathematics
  2. 2Physics
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Chemistry

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Written Expression
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Inductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Intellectual Curiosity
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Achievement Orientation
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Innovation
  6. 6Attention to Detail

Work activities

  1. 1Training and Teaching Others
  2. 2Working with Computers
  3. 3Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  4. 4Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Analyzing Data or Information

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  3. 3Freedom to Make Decisions
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

Software and tools

Learning management system LMS · in demandMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyGoogle Docs · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyPerl · hot technologyAutodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyThe MathWorks MATLAB · hot technologyC++ · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.