Physics Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Physics Teachers Make?
Physics Teachers earn a median annual salary of $97,360 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $54,880 at the 10th percentile to $169,740 at the 90th percentile — a range of $114,860. The highest-paying state is California at $128,190.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,880 |
| 25th percentile | $66,730 |
| Median (50th) | $97,360 |
| 75th percentile | $130,150 |
| 90th percentile | $169,740 |
Physics Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $128,190 |
| Arizona | $122,160 |
| Connecticut | $119,310 |
| Montana | $106,330 |
| Michigan | $105,790 |
| New York | $105,360 |
| New Mexico | $104,450 |
| Minnesota | $103,220 |
| Kansas | $102,970 |
| Maryland | $102,810 |
| Maine | $102,490 |
| Indiana | $101,780 |
| Virginia | $100,440 |
| Iowa | $100,350 |
| Oregon | $99,460 |
| Massachusetts | $98,220 |
| Georgia | $97,770 |
| Texas | $97,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,770 |
| Wisconsin | $91,460 |
| Nebraska | $89,310 |
| North Carolina | $85,680 |
| Oklahoma | $85,110 |
| Missouri | $84,890 |
| Vermont | $84,240 |
| Alabama | $84,160 |
| Delaware | $84,000 |
| New Jersey | $83,710 |
| Nevada | $83,380 |
| Washington | $83,350 |
| South Dakota | $81,960 |
| Illinois | $81,940 |
| Arkansas | $81,350 |
| Utah | $81,060 |
| Louisiana | $81,030 |
| South Carolina | $80,970 |
| Ohio | $80,770 |
| Tennessee | $80,000 |
| District of Columbia | $79,670 |
| Colorado | $79,160 |
| Kentucky | $79,070 |
| West Virginia | $75,460 |
| Idaho | $70,990 |
| Mississippi | $61,890 |
| Florida | $56,060 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Physics Teachers
Physics Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$54,880 – $66,730 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$97,360 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$130,150 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $169,740+ |
How to Earn More as a Physics Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Physics Teachers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $138,210 — $40,850 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($130,150) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Physics Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Physics Teacherthis career | $97,360 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $140,910 |
| Mathematician | $121,680 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Nanosystems Engineer | $117,750 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Physics Teacher requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 25-1054.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.