California Median
$139,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$67.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+39% vs US median
US median $100,310
State Rank
#1 of 47
1,130 employed here
How much does a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in California take home a median of $139,420 annually — roughly $67.03 an hour — which runs 39% above the national median of $100,310.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $80,060 while the top 10% make $292,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,810 and $213,730 a year.
Physics Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,060 | $38.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $105,810 | $50.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $139,420 | $67.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $213,730 | $102.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $292,150 | $140.46 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories for Physics Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physics Teacher, Postsecondary salary in other states
Connecticut $112,410Massachusetts $111,280Maryland $110,980Michigan $109,090New Mexico $108,850Delaware $108,810Minnesota $107,240Idaho $106,040Virginia $104,490Oregon $104,320Iowa $104,270Maine $104,270New York $103,100Indiana $102,970North Dakota $101,700Georgia $101,580Missouri $99,970Utah $99,860Colorado $99,280New Hampshire $99,050New Jersey $98,920Nebraska $98,460Vermont $98,390Pennsylvania $98,370West Virginia $98,320Montana $98,050Texas $97,760Kansas $97,140Washington $96,930Nevada $96,330Ohio $96,310Illinois $94,900Oklahoma $91,580Louisiana $90,040Wisconsin $89,630North Carolina $87,370South Dakota $86,010District of Columbia $85,190Alabama $82,750South Carolina $81,210Tennessee $80,630Kentucky $80,270Florida $74,050Mississippi $71,160Arizona $65,730Arkansas $64,900
Working as a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary in California
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($139,420) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Physics Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $139,420 per year, or about $67.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,060 at the entry level to $292,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Physics Teachers, Postsecondary about 39% more than the national median of $100,310. California ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $139,420 a year. About 1,130 Physics Teachers, Postsecondary are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Physics Teacher, Postsecondary salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.