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.
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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.
Related Job Titles
- 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.

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.

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:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Physics Professor?

Physics Postsecondary Professors Sector

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