Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median of $139,420 a year, based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,150 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $100,310. California ranks 1st of 47 states for physics teachers, postsecondary pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.06 physics teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $166,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physics teachers, postsecondary in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,060 |
| 25th percentile | $105,810 |
| Median | $139,420 |
| 75th percentile | $213,730 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $292,150 |
| Average (mean) | $166,780 |
Half of physics teachers, postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,618.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,809.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,362.31 |
| Weekly | $2,681.15 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because physics teachers, postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $172,510 | 440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $152,190 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $139,400 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $133,360 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $132,790 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $105,810 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physics teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $139,420 |
| Connecticut | $112,410 |
| Massachusetts | $111,280 |
| Maryland | $110,980 |
| Michigan | $109,090 |
| New Mexico | $108,850 |
| Delaware | $108,810 |
| Minnesota | $107,240 |
| Idaho | $106,040 |
| Virginia | $104,490 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $165,110 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,410 | — |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $119,540 | — |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,960 | — |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,490 | — |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,470 | — |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $107,340 | — |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,680 | — |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $129,150 | — |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $135,000 | — |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $111,850 | — |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $132,920 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-1054. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physics teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The median salary for physics teachers, postsecondary in California is $139,420 a year. Pay ranges from $80,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physics teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The top 10% of physics teachers, postsecondary in California earn at least $292,150 a year. The top 25% earn $213,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for physics teachers, postsecondary in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,060 a year, and a quarter of physics teachers, postsecondary earn $105,810 or less.
How many physics teachers, postsecondary work in California?
About 1,130 physics teachers, postsecondary are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.