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Instructor - Physics Salary in the United States

How much does an Instructor - Physics make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Instructor - Physics in the United States is $59,703 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,073
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,638 to $67,748
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,295
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Instructor - Physics Salaries

An Instructor - 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 Instructor - Physics Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Instructor - 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:

  • Instructor - Physics (0-0 years): $59,703
  • Asst. Professor - Physics (0-0 years): $77,256
  • Assoc. Professor - Physics (0-0 years): $93,104
  • Professor - Physics (0-0 years): $120,975
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Instructor - Physics0-0 years$59,703
Asst. Professor - Physics0-0 years$77,256
Assoc. Professor - Physics0-0 years$93,104
Professor - Physics0-0 years$120,975
View as Graph

How Do Instructor - 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 Instructor - Physics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,103.
  • California: $65,852.
  • Massachusetts: $64,975.

Top Paying Cities for Instructor - 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: $75,303
  • San Francisco: $74,479
  • Oakland: $72,909

What Skills Can Increase an Instructor - Physics's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.82% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Spring (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake.
  • Safety Standards (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): Safety standards are designed to ensure the safety of products, activities and processes, etc. They may be advisory or compulsory and are normally laid down by an advisory or regulatory body that may be either voluntary or statutory.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.82%
Spring 1.97%
Safety Standards 1.43%
See More Skills

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 Instructor - Physics's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Motivating: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $66,867
12%
Motivating $66,867
12%
Interpersonal Communication $66,270
11%
Get Latest Data

Instructor - Physics Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Instructor - Physics salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $61,613. While startup companies pay approximate $52,647.

Instructor - Physics Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $52,647
Growth Stage 51~500 $55,547
Established 501~5000 $59,646
Enterprise 5000+ $61,613

Instructor - Physics Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Instructor - Physics roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Instructor - Physics positions in Education typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Instructor - Physics as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Instructor - Physics

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$65,673$32.010%

How Education impacts an Instructor - Physics's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Instructor - Physics enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Instructor - Physics with a Bachelor's Degree is between $52,103 and $58,985.

Instructor - Physics Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Instructor - Physics
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 26.1%
High School 39.1%
Associates 34.8%
Bachelors 26.1%
Masters 39.1%
Doctorate 34.8%
View as Graph

Instructor - Physics Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Instructor - 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
$51,638
Average $59,703/year
$67,748
$4,303
Average $4,975/month
$5,646
$993
Average $1,148/week
$1,303
$25
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,748 $5,646 $1,303 $33
Average $59,703 $4,975 $1,148 $29
25th Percentile $51,638 $4,303 $993 $25

Instructor - Physics Salary Growth & Career Path

Instructor - Physics

Next Role

Advancement

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

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Asst. Professor - Architecture $72,287 21%
Asst. Professor - Biology $71,050 19%
Asst. Professor - Chemical Engineering $96,241 61%
Asst. Professor - Civil Engineering $90,430 51%

Most common benefits for Instructor - Physics

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

Common company salaries for Instructor - Physics

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

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FAQ about Instructor - Physics

1. Where can an Instructor - Physics earn the most?

An Instructor - Physics's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Instructor - Physics earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Instructor - Physics is $75,303.

2. What is the highest pay for Instructor - Physics?

The highest pay for Instructor - Physics is $75,073.

3. What is the lowest pay for Instructor - Physics?

The lowest pay for Instructor - Physics is $44,295.

4. What are the responsibilities of Instructor - Physics?

Teaches courses in the discipline area of physics. Develops and designs curriculum to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensure student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains records, and assesses student coursework. Typically reports to a department head. Has a Master's degree or is a PhD candidate in the applicable field. Has experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate level and possesses the qualifications to participate in research.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Instructor - Physics?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Instructor - Physics roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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