As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physics Professor in Washington is $131,201 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Physics Professor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Physics Professor Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $151,001 | $12,583 | $2,904 | $73 |
| Average | $131,201 | $10,933 | $2,523 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,001 | $9,583 | $2,212 | $55 |
Physics Today - Olympia, WA
University of Washington - Seattle, WA
Focus Staff - RAPID CITY, SD
Focus Staff - LEBANON, NH
A Physics Professor'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Physics Professor'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 | $64,740 |
| College Assistant Professor - Physics | 0-0 years | $83,757 |
| College Associate Professor - Physics | 0-0 years | $100,924 |
| Physics Professor | 0-0 years | $131,123 |
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 Physics Professors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Physics Professor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,500. While startup companies pay approximate $115,731.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $115,731 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $122,115 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $131,181 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $135,500 |
For Physics Professor 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, Physics Professor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physics Professor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government | $150,881 | $73.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Physics Professor'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $151,001 | $12,583 | $2,904 | $73 |
| Average | $131,201 | $10,933 | $2,523 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,001 | $9,583 | $2,212 | $55 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physics Professor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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