As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Professor - Physics in the United States is $121,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a College Professor - Physics's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
A College 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a College 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| College Instructor - Physics | 0-0 years | $59,707 |
| College Assistant Professor - Physics | 0-0 years | $77,245 |
| College Associate Professor - Physics | 0-0 years | $93,078 |
| College Professor - Physics | 0-0 years | $120,929 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Professor - Physics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.87% |
| Computer Science | 2.69% |
| Physical Sciences | 1.79% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Patient Care
|
$154,880 |
28%
|
|
Active Learning
|
$154,880 |
28%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$141,570 |
17%
|
|
Leadership
|
$139,150 |
15%
|
|
Coordination
|
$135,520 |
12%
|
|
Work Ethic
|
$134,310 |
11%
|
College Professor - Physics salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,965. While startup companies pay approximate $106,733.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $106,733 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $112,620 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $120,981 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $124,965 |
For College Professor - Physics roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, College Professor - Physics positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Professor - Physics as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government | $139,150 | $67.0 | 15% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Professor - Physics enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 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 Professor - Physics with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $112,061 and $142,901).
College Professor - Physics Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 7.7% |
| High School | 7.7% |
| Associates | 84.6% |
| Bachelors | 7.7% |
| Masters | 7.7% |
| Doctorate | 84.6% |
Understanding how a College 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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a College 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 Professor - Physics salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $55,867 |
| 2024 | $55,153 |
| 2025 | $53,962 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for College Professor - Physics and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current College Professor - Physics job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for College Professor - Physics roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.
The highest-paid college professors are typically in specialized fields. For Physics professors, salaries range from a minimum of $89,600 to a mid-level of $119,900, with top earners making up to $194,100. This places them among the higher-paying disciplines in academia, reflecting their expertise and the demand for their knowledge.
While many high-paying PhDs are in engineering and computer science, a PhD in Physics can also be lucrative. College professors in this field earn between $89,600 and $194,100, with a median salary of $119,900. This makes it a competitive option among doctoral degrees, especially considering the growth in related fields.
Physicists at MIT can expect a salary range between $89,600 and $194,100 per year. The midpoint salary is approximately $119,900, which reflects the base pay and potential additional compensation.
Yes, physics professors are in demand, with an anticipated increase of 4,120 new jobs by 2029. The salary range for college physics professors varies, with a minimum salary of $89,600, a mid-range salary of $119,900, and a maximum salary of $194,100, reflecting the growing need for qualified educators in this field.
The stipend for a physics PhD varies significantly by institution, with top programs offering around $42,000 to $48,000. However, for a College Professor in Physics, salaries range from $89,600 to $194,100, with a median salary of $119,900, reflecting the higher earning potential after completing a PhD.
Yes, college professors can make six figures. In the field of physics, salaries range from a minimum of $89,600 to a mid-level salary of $119,900, with the potential to earn up to $194,100. While the highest-paid professors may earn over $200,000, many still achieve six-figure salaries based on experience and institution type.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
