The median pay for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary is $98,700 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.9% through 2035, with about 800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1041
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $98,700a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $51KTop 10% $163K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.9%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80010,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.9K
- Projected 203511.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.9K Projected 2035 11.2K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's1.4%
- Bachelor's1.4%
- Master's14%
- Post-master’s certificate0.8%
- Doctorate55.3%
- Post-doctoral training27%
Highest education held by agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Associate's 1.4% Bachelor's 1.4% Master's 14% Post-master’s certificate 0.8% Doctorate 55.3% Post-doctoral training 27%
Also advertised as: Agriculture Instructor, Agriculture Professor, Agronomy Professor, Animal Science Professor, Associate Professor, Horticulture Instructor.
Pay
How much do Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every agricultural sciences teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$98,700
Middle half earn $66,410 to $126,850
- 10th
- $50,870
- 25th
- $66,410
- 75th
- $126,850
- 90th
- $163,150
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,870 |
| 25th | $66,410 |
| Median | $98,700 |
| 75th | $126,850 |
| 90th | $163,150 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $98,700
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $102,050
- People employed
- 8,920
Versus all US occupations
At $98,700, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn 94% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $47,720 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 45% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $163,150 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,870, a gap of 3.2×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 71% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Michigan pays the most at $136,130, and still leads at $141,482 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Michigan | $136,130 | $141,482 | 240 |
| 2New Jersey | $131,380 | $120,748 | 50 |
| 3Maryland | $129,920 | $123,782 | 90 |
| 4Tennessee | $128,270 | $139,621 | 350 |
| 5Delaware | $126,770 | $127,014 | 70 |
| 6Connecticut | $125,350 | $120,983 | 80 |
| 7Kansas | $112,480 | $124,883 | 200 |
| 8California | $109,930 | $99,286 | 400 |
| 9New Mexico | $108,290 | $117,436 | 80 |
| 10North Dakota | $108,130 | $121,550 | 90 |
Job outlook
Is Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | +2.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary to change 2.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 7.3% of the 10,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of postsecondary teachers varies by occupation (see table). Both part-time and full-time postsecondary teachers are included in these projections.
The number of people attending postsecondary institutions is expected to grow over the projections decade. Students will continue to seek higher education to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary teachers will be needed to serve these additional students. Colleges and universities are likely to hire more part-time teachers to meet this demand. In all disciplines, there is expected to be a limited number of full-time nontenure and full-time tenure positions.
Getting in
How to become an Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Other postsecondary teachers may need work experience in their field of expertise.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary.
- Doctoral Degree55.3%
- Post-Doctoral Training27%
- Master's Degree14%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1.4%
- Bachelor's Degree1.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 55.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 27% |
| Master's Degree | 14% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 1.4% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 1.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.
Day-to-day tasks
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most postsecondary teachers work full time, although part-time work is common. Postsecondary teachers who work part time may offer instruction at several colleges or universities. Some have a full-time job in their field of expertise in addition to a part-time teaching position. For example, an active lawyer or judge might teach an evening course at a law school.
College and university courses are generally during the day, although some are offered in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate students who have jobs or other obligations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Learning Strategies4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Monitoring3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Coordination3.5
- Time Management3.4
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Service Orientation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer based training software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser software
- Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
- Web page creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.2
- Investigative5.4
- Realistic4.0
- Conventional3.5
- Artistic2.9
- Enterprising2.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
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More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary$98,700
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary | $98,700 |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $98,700 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 94% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $66,410 and $126,850. The top 10% earn $163,150 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 55.3% hold doctoral degree.
Is Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.9% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. A core O*NET task: keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary are Michigan ($136,130), New Jersey ($131,380), Maryland ($129,920) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary highest on the Social, Investigative and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFJ, ISFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.