◈ EMPLOYMENT · EDUCATION · 25-1054.00
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · EDUCATION 25-1054.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary are academic professionals who teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses while conducting research on the fundamental laws of matter and energy. They deliver lectures on topics ranging from quantum mechanics to particle physics, supervise laboratory work, and maintain equipment essential for physics education. Most hold doctoral degrees and combine teaching responsibilities with research activities, contributing to scientific knowledge through publications and grant-funded projects.
13,090
National Employment
$100,310
Median Annual Wage
JZ 5
Job Zone
Educational Services
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Primary-Short
onet declared
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Primary-Short
onet declared
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Primary-Short
onet declared
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Primary-Short
onet declared
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Primary-Short
onet declared
Physicists
Primary-Long
knowledge overlap
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Both roles require exceptionally high Mathematics knowledge (Physics: 4.8 importance, 6.5 level) and similar teaching methodologies.
riasec cluster
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Both exhibit strong Social (6.06) and Investigative (5.98) RIASEC profiles with similar academic teaching environments.
knowledge overlap
Physicists
Shared Physics knowledge domain (importance 4.5, level 5.7) and similar mathematical reasoning requirements.
task similarity
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Both roles involve supervising laboratory work and require Engineering and Technology knowledge (importance 3.3).
§ Feeder Roles
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
Physicists
Research Scientists
§ Destinations
Department Chair
Research Director
Academic Dean
§ RIASEC Peers
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

A physics professor begins by preparing and delivering lectures on complex topics like quantum mechanics or particle physics to undergraduate and graduate students. They supervise laboratory sessions, ensuring students properly conduct experiments while maintaining and repairing sophisticated physics equipment. Between classes, they hold office hours to advise students on academic matters and supervise research projects. Administrative duties include grading examinations, developing course materials like syllabi and assignments, and serving on departmental committees. They also write grant proposals to secure research funding and review academic articles for publication.

Who Thrives

Successful physics professors exhibit exceptional mathematical reasoning abilities (level 4.0) and strong oral expression skills (level 5.6) essential for explaining complex concepts clearly. They demonstrate high intellectual curiosity and attention to detail, critical for both teaching and research excellence. These professionals excel at working independently while maintaining collaborative relationships with students and colleagues. They possess the patience and communication skills necessary to break down abstract physical concepts for diverse learning styles. Strong problem-solving abilities and dependability are essential, as they must consistently deliver quality instruction while managing multiple research and administrative responsibilities.

Automation Outlook

Physics teaching shows low automation risk due to the high importance of Training and Teaching Others (importance 4.7, level 5.9) and Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 4.5, level 5.7). The complex cognitive demands of explaining abstract physical concepts, supervising hands-on laboratory work, and conducting original research require human creativity and judgment. While technology tools like simulation software and online platforms may enhance teaching methods, the core activities of mentoring students, facilitating discussions, and adapting instruction to individual learning needs remain fundamentally human-centered.

Emerging Tasks
New   Review articles to determine their suitability for publication. 08/2019
Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
The field employs 13,090 professionals nationwide with a median annual salary of $100,310 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. Wages vary significantly by location, with California offering the highest compensation at $139,420 compared to Arkansas at $64,900, representing a 2.15x geographic dispersion ratio. Employment is concentrated entirely within Educational Services, reflecting the specialized academic nature of this profession. The relatively small employment base suggests limited but stable opportunities, primarily driven by university enrollment trends and retirement of existing faculty. Competition for tenure-track positions remains intense, particularly at research universities.
$60,200
10th
$74,050
25th
$100,310
Median
$132,650
75th
$177,850
90th
Highest Paying State
California
$139,420 median
Geographic Dispersion
2.148x
highest / lowest median
Educational Services 13,090 emp $100,310
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Reading Comprehension 4.1
Speaking 4.1
Science 4.1
Active Listening 4.0
Writing 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Active Learning 4.0
Learning Strategies 4.0
Mathematics 3.6
Monitoring 3.6
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Mathematics 4.8
Physics 4.5
Education and Training 4.4
English Language 4.2
Computers and Electronics 3.9
Chemistry 3.4
Engineering and Technology 3.3
Mechanical 2.9
Customer and Personal Service 2.8
Administrative 2.8
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
3.77
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
5.98
TOP FIT
A
Artistic
3.28
S
Social
6.06
TOP FIT
E
Enterprising
2.35
C
Conventional
3.64
§ Who Thrives
Successful physics professors exhibit exceptional mathematical reasoning abilities (level 4.0) and strong oral expression skills (level 5.6) essential for explaining complex concepts clearly. They demonstrate high intellectual curiosity and attention to detail, critical for both teaching and research excellence. These professionals excel at working independently while maintaining collaborative relationships with students and colleagues. They possess the patience and communication skills necessary to break down abstract physical concepts for diverse learning styles. Strong problem-solving abilities and dependability are essential, as they must consistently deliver quality instruction while managing multiple research and administrative responsibilities.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Core 122% of incumbents
Administer tests to assess educational nPrepare tests.Evaluate student work.
Supervise students' laboratory work.
Core 122% of incumbents
Supervise laboratory work.
Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
Core 122% of incumbents
Replace worn equipment components.Maintain laboratory or technical equipme
Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
Core 122% of incumbents
Promote educational institutions or progPerform student enrollment or registrati
Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
Core 122% of incumbents
Serve on institutional or departmental c
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Supplemental 122% of incumbents
Write grant proposals.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Core 121% of incumbents
Develop instructional materials.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
Core 121% of incumbents
Teach physical science or mathematics co
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
Core 121% of incumbents
Advise students on academic or career ma
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Core 121% of incumbents
Supervise student research or internship
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Autodesk AutoCAD
Computer aided design CAD software
HOT
Blackboard Learn
Computer based training software
C
Development environment software
HOT
C++
Object or component oriented development
HOT
Collaborative editing software
Word processing software
Course management system software
Computer based training software
Desire2Learn LMS software
Computer based training software
DOC Cop
Information retrieval or search software
Edmodo
Desktop communications software
Email software
Electronic mail software
FFTPACK
Development environment software
FFTW
Development environment software
Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
Development environment software
Geant4
Analytical or scientific software
GIPSY-OASIS
Analytical or scientific software
GNU Octave
Analytical or scientific software
Gnuplot
Analytical or scientific software
Google Docs
Word processing software
HOT
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additiona
Entry requires extensive preparation with 53.8% holding doctoral degrees, 25.0% master's degrees, and 20.7% completing post-doctoral training according to education distribution data. Most begin with graduate assistantships during doctoral studies, gaining teaching experience while conducting physics research. The extensive preparation needed (Job Zone 5) typically involves 6-10 years of post-bachelor's education including coursework, comprehensive exams, dissertation research, and often post-doctoral fellowships. Entry-level positions may include adjunct instructor or assistant professor roles at colleges and universities.
Physics professors typically advance through academic ranks from assistant to associate to full professor, with promotion based on teaching excellence, research publications, and service contributions. Some transition into administrative roles as department chairs, deans, or research directors at universities. Others may move into industry research positions at technology companies, national laboratories, or consulting firms. The combination of advanced physics knowledge and teaching experience also opens opportunities in educational technology, curriculum development, or science policy roles.
Doctoral Degree 53.8%
Master's Degree 25.0%
Post-Doctoral Training 20.7%
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for compl 0.4%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Physics Teachers, Postsecondary job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Education Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
others tendency equipment research materials physics teaching principles activities students includes control objects academic ideas needs techniques body laboratory administrative
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
others 42 0.0148
onet dimensi 90% inference 7%
tendency 42 0.0148
onet dimensi 100%
equipment 31 0.0109
onet dimensi 74% dwas 13%
research 22 0.0078
inference 59% onet tasks 18%
materials 20 0.0071
onet dimensi 50% dwas 25%
physics 16 0.0056
inference 88% onet tasks 6%
teaching 16 0.0056
inference 56% onet dimensi 31%
principles 16 0.0056
onet dimensi 100%
activities 15 0.0053
onet dimensi 60% dwas 20%
students 13 0.0046
onet tasks 38% inference 38%
includes 12 0.0042
onet dimensi 100%
control 12 0.0042
onet dimensi 100%
objects 12 0.0042
onet dimensi 100%
academic 11 0.0039
inference 45% onet tasks 27%
ideas 11 0.0039
onet dimensi 100%
needs 10 0.0035
onet dimensi 80% dwas 10%
techniques 10 0.0035
onet dimensi 100%
body 10 0.0035
onet dimensi 100%
laboratory 9 0.0032
onet tasks 44% inference 33%
administrative 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 44% inference 33%
events 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 89% onet tasks 11%
problems 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
physical 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 67% inference 22%
human 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 78% inference 22%
resources 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
public 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 44% wikipedia 44%
quickly 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
orientation 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
developing 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 89% inference 11%
student 8 0.0028
dwas 62% onet tasks 38%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
25-1054.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
How many Physics Teachers, Postsecondary are employed nationally?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, 13,090 Physics Teachers, Postsecondary are employed nationally.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
What is the median annual wage for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary?
The median annual salary is $100,310 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
Which state pays Physics Teachers the highest median wage?
California offers the highest median wage for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary at $139,420, per BLS OEWS May 2025.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025
What is the wage gap between 10th and 90th percentile earners?
Per BLS OEWS May 2025, the 10th percentile earns $60,200 while 90th percentile earns $177,850, representing a $117,650 gap.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025
What educational preparation is required to become a Physics Teacher, Postsecondary?
According to the occupation data, 53.8% hold doctoral degrees, 25.0% hold master's degrees, and 20.7% complete post-doctoral training, with Ph.D. in Physics typically required.
career_advice Education distribution data
What are the most critical skills for success as a Physics Teacher?
Top required skills include Reading Comprehension (4.1), Speaking (4.1), Science (4.1), and Oral Expression (4.4), essential for conveying complex concepts.
career_advice Skills and Abilities bundle
How does Physics Teaching compare to related STEM education roles?
Physics Teachers share Primary-Short relatedness with Mathematical Science, Chemistry, and Engineering Teachers per ONET, all requiring advanced degrees in specialized fields.
comparative ONET Related Occupations
What career pathways lead into Physics Teaching positions?
Common feeder roles include Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary and Physicists, transitioning to academic positions; Physicists (ONET 19-2012.00) show Primary-Long relatedness.
comparative ONET Related OccupationsCareer pathway analysis
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 25-1054.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/25-1054-physics_teachers_postsecondary
Boise Standard — Employment Intelligence
§ Hiring for this role?
Submit your open Physics Teachers, Postsecondary position. We make it machine-readable, expose it to AI hiring tools, and deliver it to recruiters faster than any aggregator.
Submit Open Position →
§ Looking for this role?
Upload your resume. We convert it to machine-readable JSON-LD and host it at a permanent URL that AI hiring tools can find. Free for the first profile.
Upload Resume — Free →
§ Verify your business?
Get your Treasure Valley business verified on Boise Standard. Machine-readable, graph-connected, AI-ready provenance record. $25 one-time verification.
Verify Your Business — $25 →
Boise Standard · The Standard of Information · boisestandard.org ↗
Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 25-1054.00 · Physics Teachers, Postsecondary 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '25-1054.00'), ('soc_code', '25-1054'), ('title', 'Physics Teachers, Postsecondary'), ('vertical', 'education'), ('job_zone', '5'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experi'), ('description', 'Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (24 tasks, 1 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Core] [122% incumbents] Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  DWAs: Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress. | Prepare tests. | Evaluate student work.

[Core] [122% incumbents] Supervise students' laboratory work.
  DWAs: Supervise laboratory work.

[Core] [122% incumbents] Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.
  DWAs: Replace worn equipment components. | Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.

[Core] [122% incumbents] Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  DWAs: Promote educational institutions or programs. | Perform student enrollment or registration activities.

[Core] [122% incumbents] Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
  DWAs: Serve on institutional or departmental committees.

[Supplemental] [122% incumbents] Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  DWAs: Write grant proposals.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  DWAs: Develop instructional materials.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
  DWAs: Teach physical science or mathematics courses at the college level.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  DWAs: Advise students on academic or career matters.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  DWAs: Supervise student research or internship work.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  DWAs: Guide class discussions.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  DWAs: Maintain student records.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  DWAs: Evaluate effectiveness of educational programs. | Develop instructional objectives.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  DWAs: Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization. | Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
  DWAs: Research topics in area of expertise.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  DWAs: Advise students on academic or career matters.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  DWAs: Research topics in area of expertise. | Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
  DWAs: Select educational materials or equipment. | Order instructional or library materials or equipment.

[Core] [121% incumbents] Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
  DWAs: Direct department activities.

[Supplemental] [121% incumbents] Participate in campus and community events.
  DWAs: Plan community programs or activities for the general public.

[Supplemental] [121% incumbents] Act as advisers to student organizations.
  DWAs: Advise students on academic or career matters.

[Supplemental] [121% incumbents] Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
  DWAs: Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.

[Core] [120% incumbents] Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  DWAs: Evaluate student work.

[Supplemental] [120% incumbents] Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
  DWAs: Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials.

[EMERGING:New] Review articles to determine their suitability for publication.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Reading Comprehension (imp:4.12 lvl:5.00) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Speaking (imp:4.12 lvl:5.00) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Science (imp:4.12 lvl:4.62) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  Active Listening (imp:4.00 lvl:4.62) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Writing (imp:4.00 lvl:5.00) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Critical Thinking (imp:4.00 lvl:4.88) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Learning (imp:4.00 lvl:4.38) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:4.00 lvl:4.38) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Monitoring (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Mathematics (imp:4.81 lvl:6.52) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Physics (imp:4.49 lvl:5.69) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Education and Training (imp:4.38 lvl:5.46) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  English Language (imp:4.20 lvl:5.20) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Computers and Electronics (imp:3.88 lvl:4.51) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Chemistry (imp:3.38 lvl:3.94) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Engineering and Technology (imp:3.29 lvl:3.96) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Mechanical (imp:2.90 lvl:3.39) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:2.83 lvl:3.11) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Administrative (imp:2.80 lvl:3.05) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Design (imp:2.73 lvl:3.22) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Administration and Management (imp:2.58 lvl:2.73) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Communications and Media (imp:2.49 lvl:2.87) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.33 lvl:2.15) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Law and Government (imp:2.21 lvl:1.95) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Biology (imp:2.11 lvl:2.25) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Telecommunications (imp:2.10 lvl:1.74) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Psychology (imp:2.03 lvl:2.32) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:1.99 lvl:2.17) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Production and Processing (imp:1.83 lvl:1.70) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Building and Construction (imp:1.82 lvl:1.81) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.82 lvl:1.61) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  History and Archeology (imp:1.80 lvl:1.99) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.80 lvl:2.04) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.68 lvl:1.49) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Geography (imp:1.66 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:1.62 lvl:1.13) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.57 lvl:1.16) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Transportation (imp:1.50 lvl:1.03) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.35 lvl:0.66) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Foreign Language (imp:1.20 lvl:0.42) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Fine Arts (imp:1.12 lvl:0.23) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Food Production (imp:1.01) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Expression (imp:4.38 lvl:5.62) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Oral Comprehension (imp:4.00 lvl:5.75) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Written Comprehension (imp:4.00 lvl:4.88) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Written Expression (imp:4.00 lvl:5.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.62) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.88 lvl:4.38) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.88 lvl:4.38) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.88 lvl:4.88) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Near Vision (imp:3.62 lvl:3.88) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.62 lvl:3.50) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Number Facility (imp:3.38 lvl:3.50) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:3.25 lvl:3.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Information Ordering (imp:3.12 lvl:3.88) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.12 lvl:3.62) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Originality (imp:3.00 lvl:3.50) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Memorization (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Selective Attention (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Far Vision (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Visualization (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Time Sharing (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Perceptual Speed (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.25 lvl:1.88) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.25 lvl:1.50) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:2.12 lvl:1.50) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.12 lvl:1.25) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.12 lvl:2.25) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.00 lvl:1.38) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Depth Perception (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Control Precision (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Rate Control (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Reaction Time (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.50 lvl:0.62) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Extent Flexibility (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.00) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:1.00) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Response Orientation (imp:1.00) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Static Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Stamina (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:1.00) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:1.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:4.71 lvl:5.92) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Working with Computers (imp:4.56 lvl:4.74) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.46 lvl:5.79) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:4.45 lvl:5.73) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.38 lvl:4.91) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:4.36 lvl:5.41) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Thinking Creatively (imp:4.34 lvl:5.85) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.26 lvl:5.28) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Processing Information (imp:4.25 lvl:5.29) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Getting Information (imp:4.20 lvl:5.58) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:4.08 lvl:5.04) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.01 lvl:5.07) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.98 lvl:4.11) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.85 lvl:4.94) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.84 lvl:4.33) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.75 lvl:4.91) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.73 lvl:4.43) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.61 lvl:3.94) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.52 lvl:4.36) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:3.50 lvl:4.33) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.33 lvl:4.13) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:3.32 lvl:3.61) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.27 lvl:3.97) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:3.17 lvl:3.60) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.03 lvl:3.39) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:2.99 lvl:3.25) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:2.97 lvl:3.17) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:2.86 lvl:3.44) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.79 lvl:3.18) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.78 lvl:2.93) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:2.69 lvl:3.46) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.64 lvl:3.40) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.51 lvl:3.37) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.48 lvl:2.70) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.44 lvl:2.83) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:2.25 lvl:2.75) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:2.20 lvl:2.16) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:2.04 lvl:2.74) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:2.02 lvl:1.71) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.88 lvl:2.13) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.48 lvl:1.05) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:6.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:3.00) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:2.72) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Dependability (imp:2.33) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Achievement Orientation (imp:2.14) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Integrity (imp:2.10) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Innovation (imp:2.06) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.02) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:2.00) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Cooperation (imp:1.88) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Social Orientation (imp:1.81) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Perseverance (imp:1.64) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.60) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.52) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:1.45) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative (imp:1.44) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability (imp:1.44) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Control (imp:1.40) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Leadership Orientation (imp:1.29) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Empathy (imp:1.22) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cautiousness (imp:1.06) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Sincerity (imp:1.05) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Optimism (imp:1.04) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Innovation (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Humility (imp:0.32) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Instructing (imp:4.25 lvl:4.38) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Time Management (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Coordination (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Persuasion (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.88 lvl:3.12) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Operations Analysis (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Negotiation (imp:2.50 lvl:2.50) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Repairing (imp:2.25 lvl:1.38) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:2.12 lvl:1.25) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.12 lvl:1.50) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Equipment Selection (imp:2.00 lvl:1.00) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:1.38) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Management of Material Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Programming (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Technology Design (imp:1.62 lvl:1.00) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Operation and Control (imp:1.62 lvl:0.62) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 13,090 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 13,090
  annual_median    : $100,310
  annual_pct10     : $60,200
  annual_pct25     : $74,050
  annual_pct75     : $132,650
  annual_pct90     : $177,850
  annual_mean      : $111,460
  hourly_median    : N/A

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : California ($139,420)
  lowest_state     : Arkansas ($64,900)
  dispersion_ratio : 2.148x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (48 total) ---
  Educational Services                     emp:   13,090  median: $ 100,310

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (1 total) ---
  Educational Services                     emp:   13,090  median: $ 100,310
Wikipedia — no exact match (0 words) N/A ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : no_exact_match
matched_title      : N/A
match_score        : 0.0000
wikidata_qid       : N/A
word_count         : 0
wikipedia_url      : N/A
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:05:48.418747Z

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Software engineering demographics (similarity: 0.1562)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineering_demographics
  QID: Q7554291
  Extract: Software engineers make up a significant portion of the global workforce. As of 2022, there are an estimated 26.9 million professional software engineers worldwide, up from 21 million in 2016.

  Title: Education in China (similarity: 0.2449)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_China
  QID: Q757827
  Extract: Education in the People's Republic of China is primarily managed by the state-run public education system, which falls under the Ministry of Education. By law, education in the People's Republic of China is led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and adheres to its ideology. All citizens must atten

  Title: Committee of Ten (similarity: 0.2128)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_of_Ten
  QID: Q1779964
  Extract: 
The National Education Association of the United States Committee on Secondary School Studies known as the NEA Committee of Ten was a working group of educators that convened in 1892. They were charged with taking stock of current practices in American high schools and making recommendations for fu

  Title: Arizona State University (similarity: 0.2909)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_State_University
  QID: Q670897
  Extract: Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States. It was one of about 180 "n

  Title: Education in North Korea (similarity: 0.1455)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_North_Korea
  QID: Q849155
  Extract: Education in North Korea is universal and state-funded schooling by the government. As of 2021, UNESCO Institute for Statistics does not report any data for North Korea's literacy rates. Children in the DPRK go through one year of kindergarten, five years of primary education, and six years of secon
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0449 inferred_at: 2026-06-03T16:58:17 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : High confidence due to comprehensive O*NET data including detailed work activities, knowledge requirements, and BLS wage data. The occupation is well-defined with clear educational requirements and specific job tasks.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T16:58:17.901733+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,447
tokens_output        : 4,113
cost_usd             : $0.044914
wikipedia_used       : False
wikipedia_title      : None
wikipedia_note       : No exact Wikipedia match found for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. The closest semantic matches relate to general higher education topics rather than physics-specific teaching roles.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary are academic professionals who teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses while conducting research on the fundamental laws of matter and energy. They deliver lectures on topics ranging from quantum mechanics to particle physics, supervise laboratory work, and maintain equipment essential for physics education. Most hold doctoral degrees and combine teaching responsibilities with research activities, contributing to scientific knowledge through publications and grant-funded projects.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A physics professor begins by preparing and delivering lectures on complex topics like quantum mechanics or particle physics to undergraduate and graduate students. They supervise laboratory sessions, ensuring students properly conduct experiments while maintaining and repairing sophisticated physics equipment. Between classes, they hold office hours to advise students on academic matters and supervise research projects. Administrative duties include grading examinations, developing course materials like syllabi and assignments, and serving on departmental committees. They also write grant proposals to secure research funding and review academic articles for publication.

WHO THRIVES:
Successful physics professors exhibit exceptional mathematical reasoning abilities (level 4.0) and strong oral expression skills (level 5.6) essential for explaining complex concepts clearly. They demonstrate high intellectual curiosity and attention to detail, critical for both teaching and research excellence. These professionals excel at working independently while maintaining collaborative relationships with students and colleagues. They possess the patience and communication skills necessary to break down abstract physical concepts for diverse learning styles. Strong problem-solving abilities and dependability are essential, as they must consistently deliver quality instruction while managing multiple research and administrative responsibilities.

CAREER ENTRY:
Entry requires extensive preparation with 53.8% holding doctoral degrees, 25.0% master's degrees, and 20.7% completing post-doctoral training according to education distribution data. Most begin with graduate assistantships during doctoral studies, gaining teaching experience while conducting physics research. The extensive preparation needed (Job Zone 5) typically involves 6-10 years of post-bachelor's education including coursework, comprehensive exams, dissertation research, and often post-doctoral fellowships. Entry-level positions may include adjunct instructor or assistant professor roles at colleges and universities.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Physics professors typically advance through academic ranks from assistant to associate to full professor, with promotion based on teaching excellence, research publications, and service contributions. Some transition into administrative roles as department chairs, deans, or research directors at universities. Others may move into industry research positions at technology companies, national laboratories, or consulting firms. The combination of advanced physics knowledge and teaching experience also opens opportunities in educational technology, curriculum development, or science policy roles.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The field employs 13,090 professionals nationwide with a median annual salary of $100,310 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. Wages vary significantly by location, with California offering the highest compensation at $139,420 compared to Arkansas at $64,900, representing a 2.15x geographic dispersion ratio. Employment is concentrated entirely within Educational Services, reflecting the specialized academic nature of this profession. The relatively small employment base suggests limited but stable opportunities, primarily driven by university enrollment trends and retirement of existing faculty. Competition for tenure-track positions remains intense, particularly at research universities.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Physics teaching shows low automation risk due to the high importance of Training and Teaching Others (importance 4.7, level 5.9) and Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 4.5, level 5.7). The complex cognitive demands of explaining abstract physical concepts, supervising hands-on laboratory work, and conducting original research require human creativity and judgment. While technology tools like simulation software and online platforms may enhance teaching methods, the core activities of mentoring students, facilitating discussions, and adapting instruction to individual learning needs remain fundamentally human-centered.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [knowledge_overlap] Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles require exceptionally high Mathematics knowledge (Physics: 4.8 importance, 6.5 level) and similar teaching methodologies.
    data: Mathematics knowledge importance 4.8
    data: Training and Teaching Others importance 4.7
  [riasec_cluster] Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1052.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both exhibit strong Social (6.06) and Investigative (5.98) RIASEC profiles with similar academic teaching environments.
    data: RIASEC Social 6.06
    data: RIASEC Investigative 5.98
    data: Job Zone 5
  [knowledge_overlap] Physicists (19-2012.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Shared Physics knowledge domain (importance 4.5, level 5.7) and similar mathematical reasoning requirements.
    data: Physics knowledge importance 4.5
    data: Mathematical Reasoning importance 3.9
  [task_similarity] Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1032.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles involve supervising laboratory work and require Engineering and Technology knowledge (importance 3.3).
    data: Supervise students' laboratory work
    data: Engineering and Technology knowledge 3.3
  [skill_overlap] Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1051.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both require advanced Science skills (importance 4.1, level 4.6) and similar research methodologies in physical sciences.
    data: Science skill importance 4.1
    data: Working with Computers importance 4.6

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['physics professor', 'physics instructor', 'quantum mechanics teacher', 'particle physics professor', 'theoretical physics', 'experimental physics', 'physics faculty', 'astrophysics professor']
  exclude_keywords : ['high school physics', 'physics researcher only', 'physics lab technician', 'physics tutor', 'physics consultant']
  title_patterns   : ['physics teacher postsecondary', 'physics professor', 'physics instructor', 'adjunct physics', 'assistant professor physics']
  common_variations: ['physics faculty', 'college physics teacher', 'university physics professor', 'physics lecturer', 'associate professor physics', 'full professor physics', 'adjunct physics instructor', 'visiting physics professor']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['others', 'tendency', 'equipment', 'research', 'materials', 'physics', 'teaching', 'principles', 'activities', 'students', 'includes', 'control', 'objects', 'academic', 'ideas', 'needs', 'techniques', 'body', 'laboratory', 'administrative']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
others                     42  0.01481  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  inference:7%  onet_tasks:2%
tendency                   42  0.01481  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
equipment                  31  0.01093  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:74%  dwas:13%  onet_tasks:6%
research                   22  0.00776  inference            inference:59%  onet_tasks:18%  dwas:14%
materials                  20  0.00705  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  dwas:25%  onet_tasks:20%
physics                    16  0.00564  inference            inference:88%  onet_tasks:6%  onet_dimensions:6%
teaching                   16  0.00564  inference            inference:56%  onet_dimensions:31%  onet_tasks:12%
principles                 16  0.00564  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
activities                 15  0.00529  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:60%  dwas:20%  inference:13%
students                   13  0.00458  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:38%  inference:38%  dwas:23%
includes                   12  0.00423  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
control                    12  0.00423  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
objects                    12  0.00423  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
academic                   11  0.00388  inference            inference:45%  onet_tasks:27%  dwas:27%
ideas                      11  0.00388  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
needs                      10  0.00353  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  dwas:10%  inference:10%
techniques                 10  0.00353  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
body                       10  0.00353  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
laboratory                  9  0.00317  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:44%  inference:33%  dwas:22%
administrative              9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:44%  inference:33%  onet_tasks:22%
events                      9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  onet_tasks:11%
problems                    9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
physical                    9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  inference:22%  dwas:11%
human                       9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  inference:22%
resources                   9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
public                      9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:44%  wikipedia:44%  dwas:11%
quickly                     9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                 9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
developing                  9  0.00317  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  inference:11%
student                     8  0.00282  dwas                 dwas:62%  onet_tasks:38%
services                    8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  onet_tasks:12%  inference:12%
rules                       8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
problem                     8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
procedures                  8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
monitoring                  8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
production                  8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
standards                   8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
needed                      8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
actions                     8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
performing                  8  0.00282  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 25-1054.00 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
◈ Verify Your Business — $25 →