Life As a Physics Professor
Example of Physics Professor Job 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.
List of Physics Professor Job Duties
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Supervise students’ laboratory work.
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Physics Professor Skills
These are the skills Physics Postsecondary Professors say are the most useful in their careers:
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Physics Department Chair
- Aerodynamics Teacher
- Math and Sciences Department Chair
- Aerodynamics Professor
- Astrophysics Professor
Are There Job Opportunities for Physics Postsecondary Professors?
In the United States, there were 17,600 jobs for Physics Professor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Physics Professor by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,600 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Physics Professor are Utah, Colorado, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Physics Professor
The salary for Physics Postsecondary Professors ranges between about $49,260 and $174,490 a year.

Physics Postsecondary Professors who work in California, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Physics Postsecondary Professors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $85,990 |
Arizona | $105,480 |
Arkansas | $84,540 |
California | $138,250 |
Colorado | $91,120 |
Connecticut | $85,550 |
District of Columbia | $100,940 |
Florida | $99,090 |
Georgia | $85,300 |
Idaho | $91,050 |
Illinois | $92,130 |
Indiana | $107,260 |
Iowa | $111,510 |
Kansas | $95,460 |
Kentucky | $78,830 |
Louisiana | $107,030 |
Maine | $84,400 |
Maryland | $134,200 |
Massachusetts | $116,470 |
Michigan | $98,870 |
Minnesota | $99,980 |
Mississippi | $84,430 |
Missouri | $83,010 |
Nebraska | $80,240 |
Nevada | $77,840 |
New Hampshire | $108,970 |
New Jersey | $113,400 |
New York | $117,370 |
North Carolina | $87,410 |
North Dakota | $94,610 |
Ohio | $116,670 |
Oklahoma | $85,930 |
Oregon | $92,300 |
Pennsylvania | $98,870 |
Rhode Island | $109,370 |
South Carolina | $96,840 |
South Dakota | $77,260 |
Tennessee | $88,090 |
Texas | $103,980 |
Utah | $93,800 |
Virginia | $83,910 |
Washington | $84,200 |
West Virginia | $76,200 |
Wisconsin | $84,200 |
What Tools do Physics Postsecondary Professors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Physics Postsecondary Professors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Google Docs
- Computer aided design CAD software
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- C
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Blackboard Learn
- Learning management system LMS
- iParadigms Turnitin
- DOC Cop
How to Become a Physics Professor
What education or degrees do I need to become a Physics Professor?

What work experience do I need to become a Physics Professor?

Who Employs Physics Postsecondary Professors?

Physics Postsecondary Professors work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: A. T. Service via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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