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College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary in the United States

How much does a College Assistant Professor - Physics make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Assistant Professor - Physics in the United States is $77,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a College Assistant Professor - Physics's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,978
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,900 to $87,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,521

Key Factors That Influence College Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries

A College Assistant Professor - Physics's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do College Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract College Assistant Professor - Physics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,600.
  • California: $85,300.
  • Massachusetts: $84,100.

Top Paying Cities for College Assistant Professor - Physics

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $97,500
  • San Francisco: $96,400
  • Oakland: $94,400

What Skills Can Increase a College Assistant Professor - Physics's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.5% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Academic Advising (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Academic advising is, according to the National Academic Advising Association, "a series of intentional interactions with a curriculum, a pedagogy, and a set of student learning outcomes. Academic advising synthesizes and contextualizes students' educational experiences within the frameworks of their aspirations, abilities and lives to extend learning beyond campus boundaries and timeframes."
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.5%
Academic Advising 2.08%
Computer Science 2.08%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College Assistant Professor - Physics's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $83,484
8%
Alignment $82,711
7%
Initiative $78,846
2%

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Assistant Professor - Physics salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,805. While startup companies pay approximate $68,150.

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $68,150
Growth Stage 51~500 $71,919
Established 501~5000 $77,240
Enterprise 5000+ $79,805

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For College Assistant Professor - Physics roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, College Assistant Professor - Physics positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Assistant Professor - Physics as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a College Assistant Professor - Physics

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$81,165$39.05%

How Education impacts a College Assistant Professor - Physics's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Assistant Professor - Physics enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Assistant Professor - Physics with a Bachelor's Degree is between $66,507 and $78,376).

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Assistant Professor - Physics
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.4%
High School 96.6%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 3.4%
Doctorate 96.6%

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Assistant Professor - Physics's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$65,900
Average $77,300/year
$87,600
$5,492
Average $6,442/month
$7,300
$1,267
Average $1,487/week
$1,685
$32
Average $37/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,600 $7,300 $1,685 $42
Average $77,300 $6,442 $1,487 $37
25th Percentile $65,900 $5,492 $1,267 $32

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Assistant Professor - Physics, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

College Assistant Professor - Physics Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Associate Professor - Architecture $88,500 14%
College Associate Professor - Biology $79,000 2%
College Associate Professor - Chemical Engineering $109,500 42%
College Associate Professor - Civil Engineering $106,400 38%

Most common benefits for College Assistant Professor - Physics

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for College Assistant Professor - Physics

Here are companies hiring for College Assistant Professor - Physics and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about College Assistant Professor - Physics

1. What industry pays the highest salary for College Assistant Professor - Physics?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for College Assistant Professor - Physics roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid college Professor?

The highest-paid college professors are typically in specialized fields. For instance, Physics professors earn between $56,500 and $106,700, with a median salary of $74,400. While they may not top the list, their earnings reflect the importance of their expertise in academia.

3. Are physics professors in demand?

Yes, physics professors are in demand, with an anticipated increase of 4,120 new jobs by 2029. The salary range for College Assistant Professors in Physics typically falls between $56,500 and $106,700, with a median salary of around $74,400, reflecting the growing need for qualified educators in this field.

4. Are professors paid well in USA?

In the USA, College Assistant Professors in Physics earn between $56,500 and $106,700 annually, with a median salary of $74,400. While this is a decent salary, it is generally lower than that of full professors, who can earn between $115,000 and $130,000, especially in high-demand fields like law and engineering.

5. How much do physics professors make in USA?

As of now, the salary for a College Assistant Professor in Physics in the United States ranges from a minimum of $56,500 to a maximum of $106,700, with a mid-range salary of $74,400. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $27.12 to $51.29, depending on experience and qualifications.

6. What is UCLA ranked in Physics?

UCLA is ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Physics & Astronomy in 2021. As a College Assistant Professor in Physics at UCLA, you can expect a salary ranging from $56,500 to $106,700, with a mid-salary of $74,400, reflecting the university's strong academic reputation.

7. How much do MIT professors make physics?

MIT College Assistant Professors in Physics typically earn between $56,500 and $106,700 annually, with a median salary of $74,400. While some salaries may vary, this range reflects the general compensation for this position at MIT.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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