Physics Teachers Salary by State
The national median pay for physics teachers is $100,310 a year. By state, it ranges from $64,900 in Arkansas to $139,420 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $60,200
- 25th percentile
- $74,050
- Median
- $100,310
- 75th percentile
- $132,650
- Top 10%
- $177,850
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 13,090 jobs.
Median pay in 46 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $139,420 | +39% | $80,060 | $292,150 | 1,130 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $112,410 | +12% | $65,270 | $214,810 | 260 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $111,280 | +11% | $63,660 | $213,120 | 680 |
| 4 | Maryland | $110,980 | +11% | $63,130 | $223,870 | 300 |
| 5 | Michigan | $109,090 | +9% | $55,450 | $176,760 | 460 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $108,850 | +9% | $80,800 | $142,800 | 70 |
| 7 | Delaware | $108,810 | +8% | $83,040 | $214,320 | 70 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $107,240 | +7% | $65,150 | $164,950 | 250 |
| 9 | Idaho | $106,040 | +6% | $64,340 | $148,100 | 50 |
| 10 | Virginia | $104,490 | +4% | $52,640 | $171,100 | 610 |
| 11 | Oregon | $104,320 | +4% | $71,310 | $164,720 | 230 |
| 12 | Iowa | $104,270 | +4% | $66,490 | $222,150 | 120 |
| 13 | Maine | $104,270 | +4% | $67,750 | $180,530 | 60 |
| 14 | New York | $103,100 | +3% | $61,320 | $209,940 | 1,080 |
| 15 | Indiana | $102,970 | +3% | $61,600 | $161,080 | 270 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $101,700 | +1% | $62,200 | $139,990 | 40 |
| 17 | Georgia | $101,580 | +1% | $63,710 | $168,000 | 210 |
| 18 | Missouri | $99,970 | 0% | $56,140 | $164,810 | 230 |
| 19 | Utah | $99,860 | 0% | $51,610 | $159,570 | 120 |
| 20 | Colorado | $99,280 | −1% | $52,870 | $161,810 | 280 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $99,050 | −1% | $53,630 | $235,610 | 40 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $98,920 | −1% | $34,480 | $178,220 | 530 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $98,460 | −2% | $61,240 | $165,280 | 70 |
| 24 | Vermont | $98,390 | −2% | $64,570 | $129,260 | 50 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $98,370 | −2% | $59,160 | $134,610 | 580 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $98,320 | −2% | $56,940 | $129,780 | 50 |
| 27 | Montana | $98,050 | −2% | $59,950 | $170,770 | 70 |
| 28 | Texas | $97,760 | −3% | $60,590 | $167,090 | 1,110 |
| 29 | Kansas | $97,140 | −3% | $48,440 | $171,150 | 110 |
| 30 | Washington | $96,930 | −3% | $57,580 | $166,100 | 310 |
| 31 | Nevada | $96,330 | −4% | $68,050 | $133,100 | 90 |
| 32 | Ohio | $96,310 | −4% | $47,960 | $132,700 | 420 |
| 33 | Illinois | $94,900 | −5% | $61,150 | $166,410 | 540 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $91,580 | −9% | $48,730 | $132,750 | 90 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $90,040 | −10% | $59,080 | $151,240 | 90 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $89,630 | −11% | $68,560 | $175,810 | 210 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $87,370 | −13% | $54,890 | $143,460 | 440 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $86,010 | −14% | $56,590 | $107,950 | 30 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $85,190 | −15% | $63,260 | $130,370 | 130 |
| 40 | Alabama | $82,750 | −18% | $58,510 | $121,120 | 170 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $81,210 | −19% | $61,470 | $128,940 | 150 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $80,630 | −20% | $57,590 | $157,710 | 340 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $80,270 | −20% | $37,810 | $138,980 | 160 |
| 44 | Florida | $74,050 | −26% | $55,370 | $104,870 | 180 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $71,160 | −29% | $57,370 | $121,310 | 100 |
| 46 | Arizona | $65,730 | −34% | $61,040 | $139,860 | 350 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $64,900 | −35% | $46,730 | $130,830 | 30 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Physics Teachers salary questions
Which state pays physics teachers the most?
California, with a median of $139,420 a year (+39% vs. the national median of $100,310). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays physics teachers the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $64,900 a year (−35% vs. national).
Where do most physics teachers work?
California has the most jobs, about 1,130, with a median of $139,420.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.