Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Physics Teachers, Postsecondary: Similar Median Pay, Different Work

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Physics Teachers, Postsecondary: what changes?

Consider Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary if you want to teach courses in computer science. Consider Physics Teachers, Postsecondary if you would rather teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Both list doctoral or professional degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

National median pay (2025): $96,980
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 3,200

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary brief

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

National median pay (2025): $100,310
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,100

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (16,400 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Physics Teachers, Postsecondary brief

How the national numbers differ

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on annual openings

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary is at 3,200 annual openings, compared with 1,100 annual openings for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary.

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on projected growth

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary is at 4.9% projected growth, compared with 2.4% projected growth for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary.

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on median pay

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary is at $100,310, compared with $96,980 for Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary.

55.5/ 100

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

43.5/ 100

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Dimension	Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Median pay (2025)	$96,980	$100,310
Pay percentile	80.6 percentile	82.8 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	4.9%	2.4%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	3,200	1,100
2025 employment	43,900	16,400
How you qualify	Doctoral or professional degree	Doctoral or professional degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 5	Job Zone 5
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary brief Read Physics Teachers, Postsecondary brief

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Physics Teachers, Postsecondary: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

How the national numbers differ

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on annual openings

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on projected growth

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on median pay

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

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