A physics teacher at the postsecondary level instructs students in the principles and applications of physics. You'll spend time in the classroom, the lab, and preparing course materials. The work requires a doctoral degree and deep expertise in both physics and education.
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Physics teachers at colleges and universities design and deliver courses in physics to students pursuing degrees in science, engineering, and related fields. You'll lead lectures and lab sessions, create assignments and exams, and help students understand complex concepts by interpreting information clearly. Much of your work involves staying current with physics knowledge and using computers for research, data analysis, and course management. You'll also make decisions about curriculum, evaluate student work, and solve problems that arise in the classroom and lab.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,310 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 1,300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a doctoral degree in physics or a closely related field. This typically involves earning a bachelor's degree first, then pursuing a master's and doctorate, which together can take several years of study and research. During your doctoral work, you'll develop expertise in physics while also learning to teach. Many physics teachers gain teaching experience as graduate assistants before entering the profession. Your preparation will be extensive and research-focused.
Most paths to this career start with a strong undergraduate foundation in physics and mathematics, followed by graduate study. If you're exploring whether this route fits your timeline and goals, Pathly can map the physic teacher, postsecondary path that fits you and work through it with your school counselor to map out the steps ahead.
You do not need a license to work as a physic teacher, postsecondary, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to teaching and helping others learn. You enjoy working with people, explaining ideas clearly, and creating an environment where students can grow intellectually.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).