SOC 25-1054 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary — San Francisco
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · 5 metro areas compared
At $133,360 a year, the median wage for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in San Francisco, CA sits 32.9% above the national figure of $100,310.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $133,360 a year, the median wage for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in San Francisco, CA sits 32.9% above the national figure of $100,310. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $98,490 and $242,040. The lowest tenth earn under $69,670, while the highest tenth earn more than $289,450.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.37 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Los Angeles records the highest median at $172,510. Of the 688 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 126th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,670 | −30.5% |
| 25th | $98,490 | −1.8% |
| Median (50th) | $133,360 | +32.9% |
| 75th | $242,040 | +141.3% |
| 90th | $289,450 | +188.6% |
| Mean | $164,980 | +64.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $172,510 | 440 | |
| 2 | San Diego | $152,190 | 120 | |
| 3 | Riverside | $139,400 | 60 | |
| 4 | Sacramento | $132,790 | 80 | |
| 5 | Santa Maria | $105,810 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Francisco run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $133,360 buys what $120,470 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 20.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$133,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$120,470US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $133,360 a year, 32.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $69,670 to $289,450 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Los Angeles, at $172,510.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in San Francisco, CA?
The median annual wage is $133,360, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $100,310, so pay in San Francisco, CA is 32.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Francisco, CA earns more than $289,450 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $69,670 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Los Angeles, at $172,510 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in San Francisco, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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