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Physics professor salary
Average physics professor salary
$69,894
Understanding Physics Professor Salaries
The average salary for a Physics Professor is $69,894 annually, with variations based on state and experience. For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for educators. As you gain experience, your earning potential can increase significantly. For example, professors with over ten years of experience often see salaries exceeding $80,000.
Additionally, academic institutions vary in their pay scales. Research universities may offer higher compensation compared to community colleges. Some Physics Professors also supplement their income through research grants or consulting opportunities. This role not only requires a strong knowledge of physics but also a commitment to educating the next generation of scientists.
Salary by State
- California: $85,000
- New York: $82,000
- Texas: $72,000
- Florida: $68,000
- Illinois: $70,000
Understanding these salary dynamics can help you negotiate better pay and choose the right academic path. Explore opportunities with higher earning potential by considering geographic and institutional factors.
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Where can a Physics Professor earn more?
Physics professor salary estimates from across the web
Average physics professor salary by state
The average physics professor salary in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average physics professor salary states are Montana, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for physics professors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $104,122 | $50.06 |
| 2 | New York | $97,259 | $46.76 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $101,068 | $48.59 |
| 4 | Oregon | $90,551 | $43.53 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $105,807 | $50.87 |
| 6 | Maine | $92,397 | $44.42 |
| 7 | Illinois | $90,322 | $43.42 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $76,223 | $36.65 |
| 9 | Delaware | $91,027 | $43.76 |
| 10 | Iowa | $77,743 | $37.38 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $87,132 | $41.89 |
| 12 | Maryland | $89,651 | $43.10 |
| 13 | Nevada | $87,272 | $41.96 |
| 14 | South Dakota | $71,463 | $34.36 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $85,025 | $40.88 |
| 16 | Idaho | $84,779 | $40.76 |
| 17 | Virginia | $78,942 | $37.95 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $78,534 | $37.76 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $85,973 | $41.33 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $72,883 | $35.04 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $76,858 | $36.95 |
| 22 | Arizona | $81,774 | $39.31 |
| 23 | Michigan | $74,062 | $35.61 |
| 24 | Washington | $79,884 | $38.41 |
| 25 | Utah | $69,194 | $33.27 |
| 26 | Indiana | $73,435 | $35.31 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $78,441 | $37.71 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $71,069 | $34.17 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $67,472 | $32.44 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $66,216 | $31.83 |
| 31 | California | $84,439 | $40.60 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $70,699 | $33.99 |
| 33 | Alabama | $66,120 | $31.79 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $69,226 | $33.28 |
| 35 | Kansas | $66,940 | $32.18 |
| 36 | Ohio | $69,141 | $33.24 |
| 37 | Alaska | $63,842 | $30.69 |
| 38 | Colorado | $64,946 | $31.22 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $66,168 | $31.81 |
| 40 | Florida | $67,073 | $32.25 |
| 41 | Texas | $60,847 | $29.25 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $61,245 | $29.44 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $55,887 | $26.87 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $62,005 | $29.81 |
| 46 | Missouri | $63,064 | $30.32 |
| 47 | Montana | $57,067 | $27.44 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $53,445 | $25.69 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $50,381 | $24.22 |
| 51 | Georgia | $52,584 | $25.28 |
Highest paying cities for physics professors
The highest-paying cities for physics professors are Worcester, MA, Tacoma, WA, and Lafayette, LA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester, MA | $105,635 | $50.79 |
| 2 | Tacoma, WA | $80,303 | $38.61 |
| 3 | Lafayette, LA | $76,336 | $36.70 |
| 4 | Bayamn, PR | $67,215 | $32.31 |
| 5 | Winter Haven, FL | $67,148 | $32.28 |
Physics professor salary details
A physics professor's salary ranges from $44,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $108,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a physics professor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $7,333 | $42 |
| Average | $69,894 | $5,825 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| 10th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
Highest paying physics professor jobs
The highest paying types of physics professors are professor, astronomy professor, and medical physics professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Education Teacher | $49,652 | $4,138 | $23.87 | 109,956 |
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
Top companies hiring physics professors now:
Which companies pay physics professors the most?
Physics professor salaries at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and University of Louisiana at Lafayette are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average physics professor salary at companies like Tacoma Community College and Polk State College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | $82,621 | $39.72 |
| 2 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | $82,006 | $39.43 |
| 3 | Tacoma Community College | $64,488 | $31.00 |
| 4 | Polk State College | $47,785 | $22.97 |
| 5 | Caribbean University PR | $46,017 | $22.12 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Physics professor salary trends
The average physics professor salary has risen by $9,943 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average physics professor earned $59,951 annually, but today, they earn $69,894 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for physics professors over the last decade.
Compare physics professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average physics professor salary over time
Compare physics professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Physics professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $69,900 | $33.60 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $69,300 | $33.30 | -1.4% |
| 2023 | $70,200 | $33.75 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $67,500 | $32.47 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $65,400 | $31.44 | +2.0% |
Recently added physics professor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Community College | Professor of Physics | Oklahoma City, OK | 05/28/2025 | $59,762 |
| Chapman University | Full Professor of Physics | Orange, CA | 02/10/2025 | $350,000 |
| California Department of Education | Professor-Physics | Salinas, CA | 01/30/2025 | $70,608 |
| Oklahoma City Community College | Professor of Physics | Oklahoma City, OK | 09/24/2024 | $59,762 |
| The Corporation of Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame | Professor of Physics | Notre Dame, IN | 05/13/2024 | $98,457 |
| The Corporation of Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame | Professor of Physics | Notre Dame, IN | 05/13/2024 | $98,457 |
| Collins College | Professor, Physics | McKinney, TX | 02/09/2024 | $56,697 |
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