Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 16,000 people employed as physics teachers, postsecondary in the United States. The median annual salary is $93,070. Entry level employees earn approximately $49,000 per year and senior employees earn approximately $164,150 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
• Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
• Supervise students' laboratory work.
• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
• Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
• Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
• Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
• Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
• Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
• Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
• Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
• Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
• Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
• Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
• Participate in campus and community events.
• Act as advisers to student organizations.
• Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.

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