The median pay for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary is $94,980 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.7% through 2035, with about 600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1053
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $94,980a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $58KTop 10% $164K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.7%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6008,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.4K
- Projected 20358.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.4K Projected 2035 8.7K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's17.5%
- Post-master’s certificate0.3%
- Doctorate52.5%
- Post-doctoral training29.7%
Highest education held by environmental science teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Master's 17.5% Post-master’s certificate 0.3% Doctorate 52.5% Post-doctoral training 29.7%
Also advertised as: Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Environmental Engineering Professor, Environmental Sciences Professor, Environmental Studies Professor.
Pay
How much do Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every environmental science teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$94,980
Middle half earn $69,880 to $126,900
- 10th
- $57,780
- 25th
- $69,880
- 75th
- $126,900
- 90th
- $164,190
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $57,780 |
| 25th | $69,880 |
| Median | $94,980 |
| 75th | $126,900 |
| 90th | $164,190 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $94,980
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $103,610
- People employed
- 6,690
Versus all US occupations
At $94,980, Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn 86% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $44,000 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 39% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $164,190 or more while the bottom 10% earn $57,780, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 69% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Kentucky pays the most at $139,110, and still leads at $154,294 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Environmental 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kentucky | $139,110 | $154,294 | 70 |
| 2Maryland | $131,060 | $124,868 | 220 |
| 3Oklahoma | $113,680 | $129,413 | 30 |
| 4Michigan | $112,730 | $117,162 | 270 |
| 5New Mexico | $111,270 | $120,668 | 50 |
| 6California | $108,290 | $97,805 | 300 |
| 7Massachusetts | $106,110 | $100,334 | 280 |
| 8Virginia | $104,730 | $103,586 | 300 |
| 9Illinois | $104,440 | $104,484 | 170 |
| 10Utah | $103,510 | $104,699 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | +2.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary to change 2.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 600 openings are projected each year, 7.1% of the 8,400 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 Environmental 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 environmental science teachers, postsecondary.
- Doctoral Degree52.5%
- Post-Doctoral Training29.7%
- Master's Degree17.5%
- Post-Master's Certificate0.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 52.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 29.7% |
| Master's Degree | 17.5% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses in environmental science. 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
- Write letters of recommendation for students.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- 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.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
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 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
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Learning Strategies4.0
- Active Learning3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software
- Computer based training software
- Information retrieval or search 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 Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
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.
- Investigative6.3
- Social6.3
- Realistic3.7
- Conventional3.4
- Artistic3.4
- Enterprising2.5
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 Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary
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More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with environmental science teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary$94,980
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary | $94,980 |
| 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 Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $94,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 86% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $69,880 and $126,900. The top 10% earn $164,190 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 52.5% hold doctoral degree.
Is Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.7% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. A core O*NET task: write letters of recommendation for students. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary are Kentucky ($139,110), Maryland ($131,060), Oklahoma ($113,680) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Environmental Science 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, 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.