Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

From people doing the work

It's a constant dance between explaining fundamental laws and sparking curiosity. You spend a lot of time preparing engaging lectures and labs, grading, and mentoring students, but also keeping up with new research. The 'aha!' moments from students make it all worthwhile.

Drawn from American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), Physics Stack Exchange, r/PhysicsTeachers

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), Physics Stack Exchange, r/PhysicsTeachers

A day in the life of Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
65% Team / 35% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$97,360
Entry-level
$58,000
Senior
$175,000
Growth by 2033
+2.5%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
202%
Typical student debt
Very High

Skills you need as Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Hard skills

  • Curriculum Development
  • Laboratory Instruction
  • Research Mentorship

Soft skills

  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking

Technical complexity: Moderate

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • MATLAB (Software): Used for numerical computation, data analysis, algorithm development, and creating models in physics education and research.
  • Python (with NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib) (Language): Employed for scientific computing, data visualization, and developing simulations to illustrate complex physics concepts.
  • LabVIEW (Software): Utilized for designing and implementing laboratory experiments, data acquisition, and instrument control in physics labs.

Commonly used

  • LaTeX (Software): Used for typesetting scientific documents, research papers, and educational materials with high-quality mathematical notation.
  • Canvas LMS (Platform): Serves as a learning management system for delivering course content, managing assignments, and facilitating student communication.
  • Oscilloscopes (Hardware): Essential for visualizing and analyzing electrical signals in experimental physics setups.

Specialist tools

  • Wolfram Mathematica (Software): Used for symbolic computation, advanced mathematical analysis, and creating interactive demonstrations for complex physics problems.

How to become Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Minimum education
Doctoral Degree
Licensing
Yes
Years to mid-career
5-8
Years to senior
15-25
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • High School Physics Teacher: Often transition from teaching physics at the secondary level to postsecondary institutions, bringing foundational pedagogical skills.
  • Research Physicist: Individuals with strong research backgrounds in physics may move into academia to teach and continue their research.
  • Adjunct Physics Instructor: Many start as part-time instructors, gaining teaching experience before securing full-time postsecondary positions.

Where you can go from here

  • University Professor (Physics Department Chair): Experienced postsecondary physics teachers may advance to leadership roles within their academic departments.
  • Curriculum Developer (Science Education): Expertise in physics education can lead to roles in developing science curricula for educational institutions or publishers.
  • Science Communicator: Physics teachers can leverage their ability to explain complex concepts to the public in science communication roles.

Typical progression

  1. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
  2. Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
  3. or Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Low
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Overall satisfaction
7.2/10
Meaning
8.5/10
Work-life balance
7.5/10
Prestige
7.5/10
Social perception
High

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Conferences

Podcasts and media

Reddit communities

  • r/PhysicsTeachers: A subreddit for physics educators to share resources, discuss teaching strategies, and seek advice.

Online communities

  • Physics Stack Exchange: An online community for physicists, astronomers, and students to ask and answer questions about physics.

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