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Physics Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary: Who Earns More?

Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys out-earn Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys by $64K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys land at $100,310 and Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys at $36,780. The education gap is real: physics teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while teaching assistants, except postsecondary programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys is California ($139,420); for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys it's Washington ($49,120).

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
Median salary
$100,310
$36,780
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$60,200
$27,150
Senior level (90th %)
$177,850
$50,040
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
13,090
1,420,350
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Physics Teachers, Postsecondary median pay.

State
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
California
$139,420
$46,490
Connecticut
$112,410
$38,110
Massachusetts
$111,280
$39,380
Delaware
$108,810
$37,830
Minnesota
$107,240
$40,100
Virginia
$104,490
$38,520
Oregon
$104,320
$39,850
Maine
$104,270
$46,750
New York
$103,100
$38,240
North Dakota
$101,700
$38,240
New Hampshire
$99,050
$38,440
Vermont
$98,390
$43,800
Washington
$96,930
$49,120
Wisconsin
$89,630
$37,800
District of Columbia
$85,190
$46,920

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys?

Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys earn more nationally. The median is $100,310 for Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys versus $36,780 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys, a difference of $64K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Physics Teachers, Postsecondary or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Physics Teachers, Postsecondary or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary typically requires bachelor's degree. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys at $139,420/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Physics Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys earn $139,420 vs. $46,490 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Full Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Best cities for Physics Teachers, Postsecondarys by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondarys by take-home payExplore →How to become a physics teachers, postsecondaryGuide →How to become a teaching assistants, except postsecondaryGuide →