Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $93,250 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.3% through 2035, with about 1,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1052
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $93,250a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $58KTop 10% $172K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.3%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,70024,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202524.9K
- Projected 203525.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 24.9K Projected 2035 25.4K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college0.3%
- Bachelor's2.1%
- Post-bacc certificate5.8%
- Master's35.3%
- Doctorate25.2%
- Post-doctoral training31.4%
Highest education held by chemistry teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Some college 0.3% Bachelor's 2.1% Post-bacc certificate 5.8% Master's 35.3% Doctorate 25.2% Post-doctoral training 31.4%
Also advertised as: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Biochemistry Professor, Chemistry Faculty Member, Chemistry Instructor, Chemistry Professor.
Pay
How much do Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every chemistry teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$93,250
Middle half earn $68,530 to $127,280
- 10th
- $57,870
- 25th
- $68,530
- 75th
- $127,280
- 90th
- $172,110
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $57,870 |
| 25th | $68,530 |
| Median | $93,250 |
| 75th | $127,280 |
| 90th | $172,110 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $93,250
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $105,210
- People employed
- 19,980
Versus all US occupations
At $93,250, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary earn 83% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $42,270 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 37% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $172,110 or more while the bottom 10% earn $57,870, a gap of 3.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 68% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($132,960), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $124,799 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Chemistry 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 | $132,960 | $120,087 | 1,650 |
| 2North Dakota | $111,020 | $124,799 | 60 |
| 3Massachusetts | $108,270 | $102,376 | 820 |
| 4Delaware | $104,610 | $104,811 | 80 |
| 5Minnesota | $104,380 | $105,840 | 430 |
| 6Arizona | $103,790 | $103,092 | 210 |
| 7District of Columbia | $103,370 | $94,057 | 100 |
| 8New Hampshire | $102,220 | $98,133 | 70 |
| 9Utah | $102,110 | $103,283 | 200 |
| 10Nevada | $101,640 | $101,661 | 60 |
Job outlook
Is Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | +2.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary to change 2.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,700 openings are projected each year, 6.8% of the 24,900 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 a Chemistry 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 chemistry teachers, postsecondary.
- Master's Degree35.3%
- Post-Doctoral Training31.4%
- Doctoral Degree25.2%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5.8%
- Bachelor's Degree2.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 35.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 31.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 25.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 2.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. 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 performance, 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 conferences.
- Write letters of recommendation for students.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- 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 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 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
- Writing4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Learning Strategies4.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Persuasion3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer based training software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser software
- Optical character reader OCR or scanning 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 Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Chemistry 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 investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Investigative5.8
- Social5.7
- Realistic4.0
- Conventional3.8
- Artistic3.0
- Enterprising2.1
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.
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More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with chemistry teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary$93,250
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary | $93,250 |
| 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 Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $93,250 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 83% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $68,530 and $127,280. The top 10% earn $172,110 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 35.3% hold master's degree.
Is Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.3% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Chemistry 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 performance, assignments, and papers. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary are California ($132,960), North Dakota ($111,020), Massachusetts ($108,270) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $124,799.
What personality type suits a Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary highest on the Investigative, Social and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFJ, ISFJ, 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.