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Physics teacher vs science teacher

The differences between physics teachers and science teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a physics teacher and a science teacher. Additionally, a science teacher has an average salary of $59,788, which is higher than the $54,119 average annual salary of a physics teacher.

The top three skills for a physics teacher include classroom management, student learning and instructional materials. The most important skills for a science teacher are classroom management, professional development, and student learning.

Physics teacher vs science teacher overview

Physics TeacherScience Teacher
Yearly salary$54,119$59,788
Hourly rate$26.02$28.74
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs68,09871,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a physics teacher do?

A Physics Teacher prepares and delivers lectures to undergraduate and/or graduate students regarding the laws of matter and energy. They may work for schools, professional schools, colleges, or universities.

What does a science teacher do?

A science teacher is responsible for teaching scientific concepts and disciplines, helping learners to understand systems, procedures, and generate ideas using scientific evidence and approaches. Science teachers create engaging lesson plans and activities for the learners, including laboratory works, group research, and field experiments. They also demonstrate methods and present scientific research to support their observations. A science teacher evaluates the students' learning by giving them written or practical exams, including problem-solving and scientific methods.

Physics teacher vs science teacher salary

Physics teachers and science teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Physics TeacherScience Teacher
Average salary$54,119$59,788
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $80,000Between $40,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityAmherst, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyVarian Medical SystemsPace University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between physics teacher and science teacher education

There are a few differences between a physics teacher and a science teacher in terms of educational background:

Physics TeacherScience Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorPhysicsBiology
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Physics teacher vs science teacher demographics

Here are the differences between physics teachers' and science teachers' demographics:

Physics TeacherScience Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 68.3% Female, 31.7%Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between physics teacher and science teacher duties and responsibilities

Physics teacher example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a substitute teach chemistry, physics and astronomy.
  • Prepare and present lecture and exam material, supervise students, assist JV girls soccer coach
  • Aid an alternative strategy of learning basic concepts of chemistry, biology, & physiology.
  • Emphasize math and science skills in project base, standards base, and traditional classroom settings.
  • Instruct and help students with daily assignments, weekly chemistry tutoring (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
  • Participate in numerous IEP and collaborative sessions for students with special needs and at risk students.
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Science teacher example responsibilities.

  • Create single gender classes in 7th and 8th grade math and language classes to increase student achievement and decrease discipline referrals.
  • Prepare and instruct biology, botany, chemistry, genetics, microbiology and zoology laboratories.
  • Further students' education on math/science including general science and pre-algebra through curriculum development and hands on instruction.
  • Create and implement appropriate science education programs for k-12 youth.
  • Teach kids fun, invigorating science lessons in after school programming .!
  • Challenge and support urban youth and ESL students with hands on projects and activities.
  • Show more

Physics teacher vs science teacher skills

Common physics teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • Student Learning, 10%
  • Instructional Materials, 9%
  • Public Schools, 9%
  • Math, 8%
  • Laboratory Experiments, 4%
Common science teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Science Curriculum, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • Public Schools, 4%

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