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Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary score 42 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #396 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 24 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 14 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 9 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

42/ 100
Elevated
Rank
#396of 923 jobs
US workers
13,090BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$100,310a year
In real AI use
9 of 24tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

  • AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (13%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 14 (58%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 7 (29%)
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
  • Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Supervise students' laboratory work.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Maintain and repair laboratory equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Participate in campus and community events.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
  • Act as advisers to student organizations.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
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Questions about physics teachers, postsecondary and AI

Will AI replace physics teachers, postsecondary?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Physics Teachers, Postsecondary score 42 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #396 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 17 of the job's 24 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 7 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which physics teachers, postsecondary tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts"; "Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records"; "Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments".

Which physics teachers, postsecondary tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students"; "Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions"; "Supervise students' laboratory work".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 9 of the 24 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as physics teachers, postsecondary, and what do they earn?

About 13,090 people in the US, with median pay of $100,310 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

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