Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $99,080 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.9% through 2035, with about 7,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1011
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Business Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $99,080a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $209K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.9%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7,600103,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025103.6K
- Projected 2035109.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 103.6K Projected 2035 109.7K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's5.4%
- Post-bacc certificate0.6%
- Master's20.4%
- Post-master’s certificate0.3%
- Professional degree0.5%
- Doctorate72.8%
Highest education held by business teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Bachelor's 5.4% Post-bacc certificate 0.6% Master's 20.4% Post-master’s certificate 0.3% Professional degree 0.5% Doctorate 72.8%
Also advertised as: Accounting Instructor, Accounting Professor, Associate Professor, Business Administration Professor, Business Instructor, Business Professor.
Pay
How much do Business Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every business teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$99,080
Middle half earn $64,150 to $141,710
- 10th
- $47,180
- 25th
- $64,150
- 75th
- $141,710
- 90th
- $209,470
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,180 |
| 25th | $64,150 |
| Median | $99,080 |
| 75th | $141,710 |
| 90th | $209,470 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $99,080
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $114,720
- People employed
- 82,150
Versus all US occupations
At $99,080, Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn 94% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $48,100 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 $209,470 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,180, a gap of 4.4×. 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 72% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $168,930, and still leads at $165,037 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Business 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $168,930 | $165,037 | 130 |
| 2Delaware | $130,370 | $130,621 | 280 |
| 3Louisiana | $129,040 | $146,292 | 640 |
| 4California | $128,470 | $116,031 | 5,290 |
| 5District of Columbia | $128,370 | $116,805 | 630 |
| 6Maryland | $126,560 | $120,580 | 2,280 |
| 7Utah | $115,870 | $117,201 | 460 |
| 8Michigan | $111,190 | $115,562 | 2,240 |
| 9North Dakota | $110,050 | $123,709 | 250 |
| 10New York | $104,490 | $96,821 | 7,480 |
Job outlook
Is Business Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | +5.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Business Teachers, Postsecondary to change 5.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 6,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 7,600 openings are projected each year, 7.3% of the 103,600 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 Business 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 business teachers, postsecondary.
- Doctoral Degree72.8%
- Master's Degree20.4%
- Bachelor's Degree5.4%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate0.6%
- First Professional Degree0.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 72.8% |
| Master's Degree | 20.4% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 5.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 0.6% |
| First Professional Degree | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Business Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. 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, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional organizations and conferences.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
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 dayAlmost never works outdoors.
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 dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually 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
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Learning Strategies4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Coordination3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Computer based training software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser 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 Business Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Business Teacher, Postsecondary |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| 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.
- Social6.4
- Investigative4.8
- Enterprising3.8
- Conventional3.8
- Artistic3.2
- Realistic2.0
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 Business Teacher, Postsecondary
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Business and Financial Operations
- Educational Instruction and Library
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School
$66,270median a year
Most earn $50K to $101K
−0.4%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with business teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Business Teacher, Postsecondary$99,080
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Business Teacher, Postsecondary | $99,080 |
| 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 Business Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Business Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Business Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $99,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 94% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $64,150 and $141,710. The top 10% earn $209,470 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Business Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Business Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 72.8% hold doctoral degree.
Is Business Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.9% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 7,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Business 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, assignments, and papers. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Electronic mail software, Object or component oriented development software.
Which states pay Business Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Business Teachers, Postsecondary are Alaska ($168,930), Delaware ($130,370), Louisiana ($129,040) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Business Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Business Teachers, Postsecondary highest on the Social, Investigative and Enterprising 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 that lines up most closely with ENFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.