Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,620 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 7.3% through 2035, with about 4,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1042
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $84,620a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $52KTop 10% $170K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +7.3%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+7.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +7.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,70062,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202562K
- Projected 203566.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 62K Projected 2035 66.5K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's1.3%
- Bachelor's0.2%
- Master's11.7%
- Doctorate48.4%
- Post-doctoral training38.4%
Highest education held by biological science teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Associate's 1.3% Bachelor's 0.2% Master's 11.7% Doctorate 48.4% Post-doctoral training 38.4%
Also advertised as: Anatomy Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Professor, Biology Instructor, Biology Professor.
Pay
How much do Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every biological science teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$84,620
Middle half earn $64,350 to $126,770
- 10th
- $52,150
- 25th
- $64,350
- 75th
- $126,770
- 90th
- $169,900
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,150 |
| 25th | $64,350 |
| Median | $84,620 |
| 75th | $126,770 |
| 90th | $169,900 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $84,620
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $102,840
- People employed
- 50,190
Versus all US occupations
At $84,620, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn 66% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $33,640 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 24% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $169,900 or more while the bottom 10% earn $52,150, a gap of 3.3×. 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 65% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $129,150, and still leads at $116,646 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Biological Science 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $129,150 | $116,646 | 3,610 |
| 2Massachusetts | $105,050 | $99,331 | 2,060 |
| 3Michigan | $103,620 | $107,694 | 1,460 |
| 4New Hampshire | $102,410 | $98,315 | 170 |
| 5Rhode Island | $102,300 | $100,020 | 250 |
| 6Delaware | $101,380 | $101,575 | 130 |
| 7Oregon | $100,820 | $97,542 | 800 |
| 8Montana | $100,480 | $106,165 | 110 |
| 9Illinois | $99,060 | $99,102 | 2,340 |
| 10New Mexico | $98,820 | $107,166 | 150 |
Job outlook
Is Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +7.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | +7.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary to change 7.3% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 4,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,700 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 62,000 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 a Biological Science 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 biological science teachers, postsecondary.
- Doctoral Degree48.4%
- Post-Doctoral Training38.4%
- Master's Degree11.7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1.3%
- Bachelor's Degree0.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 48.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 38.4% |
| Master's Degree | 11.7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 1.3% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses in biological sciences. 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
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- 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.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
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 timeStanding
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 dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict 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
- Speaking4.3
- Learning Strategies4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Science4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Time Management3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Service Orientation3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system 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
- Development environment software
- Geographic information system
- Graphics or photo imaging 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 a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| 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.
- Social6.3
- Investigative5.9
- Realistic4.0
- Conventional3.6
- Artistic3.3
- Enterprising2.0
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 Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
$103,170median a year
Most earn $60K to $203K
+2.4%Doctorate - Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary
$94,980median a year
Most earn $58K to $164K
+2.7%Doctorate - Educational Instruction and Library
Health Specialties Teacher, Postsecondary
$107,310median a year
Most earn $59K to $322K
+17.9%Doctorate - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Educational Instruction and Library
Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
$98,700median a year
Most earn $51K to $163K
+2.9%Doctorate
More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with biological science teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary$84,620
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary | $84,620 |
| 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 Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 66% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $64,350 and $126,770. The top 10% earn $169,900 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 48.4% hold doctoral degree.
Is Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 7.3% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. A core O*NET task: evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary are California ($129,150), Massachusetts ($105,050), Michigan ($103,620) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Biological Science 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, INFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.