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What Does it Take to Be a Physics Professor?

Physics Professor Example 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.

Life As a Physics Professor

  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Act as advisers to student organizations.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

Physics Professor Skills

Physics Postsecondary Professors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

  • Applied Marine Physics Professor
  • College Professor
  • Hydrodynamics Professor
  • Nuclear Physics Professor
  • Mathematics Professor

Job Opportunities for Physics Postsecondary Professors

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,600 jobs in the United States for Physics Professor. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,600 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

Average Physics Postsecondary Professors Salary

Physics Postsecondary Professors make between $49,260 and $174,490 a year.

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Physics Postsecondary Professors who work in California, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.

How much do Physics Postsecondary Professors make 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

Tools & Technologies Used by Physics Postsecondary Professors

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

Becoming a Physics Professor

Education needed to be a Physics Professor:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Physics Professor?

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Physics Postsecondary Professors Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Physics Postsecondary Professors employed by various industries.

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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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