upper level job

University Assistant Professor - Physics Salary in the United States

How much does an University Assistant Professor - Physics make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an University Assistant Professor - Physics in the United States is $77,250 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,947
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,790 to $87,560
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,356
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits
Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $65,790 10% $55,356 90% $96,947 75% $87,560 $77,250 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

University Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $87,560 $7,297 $1,684 $42
Average $77,250 $6,438 $1,486 $37
25th Percentile $65,790 $5,483 $1,265 $32
Choose Similar Job
Choose Category
Cost of Living
Hourly Wages
See it in Action

Key Factors That Influence University Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries

An University Assistant 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 University Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an University Assistant 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): $59,707
  • University 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Physics0-0 years$59,707
University Assistant Professor - Physics0-0 years$77,245
College Associate Professor - Physics0-0 years$93,078
College Professor - Physics0-0 years$120,929
$59,707 College I...
$77,245 Universit...
$93,078 College A...
$120,929 College P...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do University 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 University Assistant Professor - Physics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $85,530.
  • California: $85,210.
  • Massachusetts: $84,070.

Top Paying Cities for University 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: $97,430
  • San Francisco: $96,370
  • Oakland: $94,340

What Skills Can Increase an University 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.
See More Skills
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 an University 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
 $83,430
8%
Alignment
 $82,658
7%
Initiative
 $78,795
2%
Computer Science
 $77,250
0%
Commitment
 $77,250
0%
Get Latest Data

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

University 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 $79,781. While startup companies pay approximate $68,141.

University Assistant Professor - Physics Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$68,141
Growth Stage51~500$71,900
Established501~5000$77,238
Enterprise5000+$79,781

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

For University 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, University Assistant Professor - Physics positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view University Assistant Professor - Physics as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an University Assistant Professor - Physics

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$81,112$39.05%

How Education impacts an University Assistant Professor - Physics's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many University 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 an University Assistant Professor - Physics with a Bachelor's Degree is between $66,457 and $78,348).

University Assistant Professor - Physics Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for University 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%
view as graph

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

Understanding how an University 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$65,790
Average $77,250/year
$87,560
$5,483
Average $6,438/month
$7,297
$1,265
Average $1,486/week
$1,684
$32
Average $37/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,560 $7,297 $1,684 $42
Average $77,250 $6,438 $1,486 $37
25th Percentile $65,790 $5,483 $1,265 $32

University Assistant Professor - Physics Salary Growth & Career Path

University Assistant Professor - Physics
College Associate Professor - Architecture
College Associate Professor - Biology
College Associate Professor - Chemical Engineering
College Associate Professor - Civil Engineering
College Professor - Architecture
College Professor - Biology
College Professor - Chemical Engineering
College Professor - Civil Engineering

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an University 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.

University Assistant Professor - Physics Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Associate Professor - Architecture $88,400 14%
College Associate Professor - Biology $79,000 2%
College Associate Professor - Chemical Engineering $109,400 42%
College Associate Professor - Civil Engineering $106,300 38%

Salaries of jobs related to University Assistant Professor - Physics

Salary Trends for University Assistant Professor - Physics

Salaries for an University Assistant 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 University Assistant Professor - Physics salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of University Assistant 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 University Assistant Professor - Physics

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for University Assistant Professor - Physics

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

Find Your Next University Assistant Professor - Physics Job

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

United States
For Employees

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.

For Employers

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.

FAQ about University Assistant Professor - Physics

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

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

2. How much does a postdoc make at UCLA physics?

A postdoc in UCLA's physics department typically earns an annual salary ranging from $49,000 to $73,500, with an average of about $59,022. In comparison, University Assistant Professors in physics have salaries starting at $56,480, with a mid-range salary of $74,310 and a maximum of $106,640.

3. How much is an Assistant Professor paid in the US?

The average salary for an Assistant Professor in Physics in the US is approximately $74,310 per year. Entry-level positions start at around $56,480 annually, while experienced professionals can earn up to $106,640 per year.

4. How much does a professor with a master's make?

The salary for a University Assistant Professor in Physics typically ranges from $56,480 to $106,640 annually, with a mid-salary of $74,310. This indicates that professors with a master's degree can expect to earn within this range, depending on their experience and the institution.

5. How much do MIT assistant professors make?

The salary range for an Assistant Professor in Physics is approximately $56,480 to $106,640 per year, with a mid-salary of $74,310. This reflects the base salary without additional compensation, which may vary based on experience and specific departmental funding.

6. How much do assistant professors with Phd make?

Assistant professors with a PhD in Physics typically earn between $56,480 and $106,640 annually, with a median salary of $74,310. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and institution. For example, cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara offer salaries around $94,000, reflecting the higher end of the pay scale.

7. What is the salary of physics Assistant Professor in USA?

The salary for an Assistant Professor of Physics in the United States ranges from $56,480 to $106,640 annually, with a median salary of $74,310. This translates to approximately $27.16 to $51.29 per hour, or $1,086 to $2,221 per week.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job