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College Associate Professor - Physics Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Associate Professor - Physics in the United States is $93,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,182
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,000 to $106,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,713
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View as table View as graph 25% $83,000 10% $73,713 90% $119,182 75% $106,800 $93,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Associate Professor - Physics Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $106,800 $8,900 $2,054 $51
Average $93,200 $7,767 $1,792 $45
25th Percentile $83,000 $6,917 $1,596 $40
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Key Factors That Influence College Associate Professor - Physics Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects College Associate Professor - Physics Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Associate Professor - Physics's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College Instructor - Physics (0-0 years): $59,703
  • College Assistant Professor - Physics (0-0 years): $77,256
  • College Associate Professor - Physics (0-0 years): $93,104
  • College Professor - Physics (0-0 years): $120,975
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Physics0-0 years$59,703
College Assistant Professor - Physics0-0 years$77,256
College Associate Professor - Physics0-0 years$93,104
College Professor - Physics0-0 years$120,975
$59,703 College I...
$77,256 College A...
$93,104 College A...
$120,975 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for College Associate 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: $117,500
  • San Francisco: $116,200
  • Oakland: $113,700

What Skills Can Increase a College Associate 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.5%
Academic Advising 2.08%
Computer Science 2.08%

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

College Associate Professor - Physics salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $96,182. While startup companies pay approximate $82,185.

College Associate Professor - Physics Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$82,185
Growth Stage51~500$86,712
Established501~5000$93,111
Enterprise5000+$96,182

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

For College Associate Professor - Physics roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, College Associate Professor - Physics positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Associate Professor - Physics as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a College Associate Professor - Physics

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$111,840$54.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Associate 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 Associate Professor - Physics with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,394 and $93,690).

College Associate Professor - Physics Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Associate Professor - Physics
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.8%
High School 4.8%
Associates 81.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 14.3%
Doctorate 81.0%
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College Associate Professor - Physics Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Associate 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 August 01, 2026

College Associate Professor - Physics Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Associate 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 Associate Professor - Physics Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Professor - Architecture $116,200 25%
College Professor - Biology $101,600 9%
College Professor - Chemical Engineering $141,000 51%
College Professor - Civil Engineering $140,700 51%

Salary Trends for College Associate Professor - Physics

Salaries for a College Associate Professor - Physics can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,867 in 2023 to around $53,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College Associate Professor - Physics salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Associate Professor - Physics Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,867
2024
$55,153
2025
$53,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,867
2024 $55,153
2025 $53,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College Associate Professor - Physics

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for College Associate Professor - Physics

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

Find Your Next College Associate Professor - Physics Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current College Associate Professor - Physics job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about College Associate Professor - Physics

1. What is the highest paid college professor?

The highest-paid college professors are typically in law, with an average salary of $129,950. In comparison, physics professors earn between $71,900 and $135,500, with a mid-salary of $87,500. This places physics professors among the higher-paying fields, though they generally earn less than law and health specialties teachers.

2. What is UCLA ranked in Physics?

UCLA is ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Physics & Astronomy in 2021. As an Associate Professor in Physics at UCLA, you can expect a salary ranging from $71,900 to $135,500, with a mid-salary of $87,500, reflecting the university's strong academic reputation and competitive compensation in the field.

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 Associate Professors in Physics varies, with a minimum of $71,900, a mid-range of $87,500, and a maximum of $135,500, reflecting the growing need for qualified educators in this field.

4. How much do associate professors make at Duke University?

Associate professors in Physics at Duke University can expect a salary range from $71,900 to $135,500, with a mid-salary of $87,500. This reflects a competitive compensation structure, aligning with the higher end of the academic salary spectrum.

5. What's the highest-paying physics job?

The highest-paying physics job is often considered to be that of a college associate professor in physics, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $71,900 to a mid-range of $87,500, and potentially reaching up to $135,500. Other high-paying roles in the field include lab manager, nuclear engineer, and research scientist.

6. How much do UCLA physics professors make?

The salary for College Associate Professors in Physics typically ranges from a minimum of $71,900 to a maximum of $135,500, with a mid-range salary of about $87,500. This data reflects the general compensation for this position, which may vary based on experience and specific institutional factors.

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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