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Occupation · SOC 25-1054

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

There are 13,090 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $100,310 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Education & LibraryTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
13,090
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$100,310
Median pay a year
Middle half: $74,050–$132,650
1,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.4%
278
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+1.8% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 63 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $104,690 · LCA filings 7870$104,6907
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $128,640 · LCA filings 14510$128,64014
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $172,510 · LCA filings 11440$172,51011
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $95,430 · LCA filings 3340$95,4303
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $83,830 · LCA filings 6330$83,8306
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $103,750 · LCA filings 8290$103,7508
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $99,480 · LCA filings 1230$99,4801
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $100,430 · LCA filings 4220$100,4304
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $98,060 · LCA filings 2200$98,0602
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $107,410 · LCA filings 7170$107,4107

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 440 · LCA filings 11$172,51044011
College Station–Bryan, TXEmployment 80 · LCA filings 4$167,090804
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 120 · LCA filings 1$152,1901201
Ann Arbor, MIEmployment 80 · LCA filings 1$141,400801
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$139,400600

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 510146510
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 440116440
Pittsburgh, PAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 150102150
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 29084290
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 17084170

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $88,373 · Level III $116,577 · Level IV $144,780$60,170$88,373$116,577$144,780
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $105,783 · Level III $141,047 · Level IV $176,310$70,520$105,783$141,047$176,310
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $140,300 · Level III $180,600 · Level IV $220,900$100,000$140,300$180,600$220,900
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $82,260 · Level III $100,790 · Level IV $119,320$63,730$82,260$100,790$119,320
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $78,130 · Level III $96,300 · Level IV $114,470$59,960$78,130$96,300$114,470
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $91,300 · Level III $115,820 · Level IV $140,340$66,780$91,300$115,820$140,340
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $84,927 · Level III $100,733 · Level IV $116,540$69,120$84,927$100,733$116,540
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $87,270 · Level III $112,860 · Level IV $138,450$61,680$87,270$112,860$138,450
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $86,890 · Level III $106,140 · Level IV $125,390$67,640$86,890$106,140$125,390
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $89,950 · Level III $112,920 · Level IV $135,890$66,980$89,950$112,920$135,890
Pittsburgh, PALevel II $78,093 · Level III $94,027 · Level IV $109,960$62,160$78,093$94,027$109,960
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $84,973 · Level III $105,387 · Level IV $125,800$64,560$84,973$105,387$125,800

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
PhysicsCIP 40.08 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months2,685STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Physics and AstronomyCIP 40.11 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months13STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in every metro area

All 63 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Education & Library

Teaching Assistants, except PostsecondaryElementary School Teachers, except Special EducationPreschool Teachers, except Special EducationSubstitute Teachers, Short-TermSecondary School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationSelf-Enrichment TeachersMiddle School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationTutors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology