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Job outlook for college physics instructors in the United States
Are college physics instructor jobs in demand?
College physics instructor job and salary trends over time
College physics instructor jobs over time
College physics instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 28 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 28 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 28 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 28 | 0.00% |
Average college physics instructor salary over time
College physics instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $67,831 | $32.61 | +0.9% |
| 2025 | $67,223 | $32.32 | --1.3% |
| 2024 | $68,131 | $32.76 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $65,535 | $31.51 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $63,457 | $30.51 | +2.1% |
College physics instructor jobs by state
Most common states for college physics instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 61 | 11% |
| 2 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 541 | 10% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 639 | 8% |
| 4 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 387 | 8% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 82 | 8% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 75 | 8% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 59 | 8% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 735 | 7% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 676 | 7% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 290 | 7% |
| 11 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 466 | 5% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 349 | 5% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 308 | 5% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 166 | 5% |
| 15 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 138 | 5% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 53 | 5% |
| 17 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 43 | 5% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 41 | 5% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 34 | 5% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 33 | 5% |
Most common cities for college physics instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $80,757 |
| 2 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $80,551 |
| 3 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $65,250 |
| 4 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $58,209 |
| 5 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $77,388 |
| 6 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $83,774 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $67,519 |
College Physics Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of college physics instructor experts
Humboldt State University
University of California - Davis
Dr. C.D. Hoyle
Professor of Physics and AstronomyHumboldt State University
Physics and Astronomy Department
What skills stand out on College Physics Instructor resumes?
Dr. C.D. Hoyle: -previous teaching experience
-experience with active-learning pedagogies and techniques
-experience interacting with a diverse student population
Patricia Boeshaar Ph.D.
Distinguished Sr. Lecturer EmeritaUniversity of California - Davis
Department of Physics and Astronomy
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for College Physics Instructors?
Patricia Boeshaar Ph.D.: This depends on what field they enter, e.g. Education usually requires a Masters in Education; Graduate Programs generally require anywhere from 2-6 years in that specialty. Otherwise, Physics teaches students how to problem solve, so many often pick up any additional skills on the job.