The median pay for Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary is $101,420 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.8% through 2035, with about 100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1043
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $101,420a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $50KTop 10% $149K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1001,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251.8K
- Projected 20351.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1.8K Projected 2035 1.9K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's15.1%
- Doctorate62.7%
- Post-doctoral training22.2%
Highest education held by forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Master's 15.1% Doctorate 62.7% Post-doctoral training 22.2%
Also advertised as: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Conservation Biology Professor, Extension Professor, Forest Technology Professor, Forestry Professor.
Pay
How much do Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every forestry and conservation science teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$101,420
Middle half earn $77,440 to $126,930
- 10th
- $50,100
- 25th
- $77,440
- 75th
- $126,930
- 90th
- $148,920
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,100 |
| 25th | $77,440 |
| Median | $101,420 |
| 75th | $126,930 |
| 90th | $148,920 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $101,420
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $102,450
- People employed
- 1,520
Versus all US occupations
At $101,420, Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn 99% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $50,440 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 49% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $148,920 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,100, a gap of 3.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 73% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Michigan pays the most at $138,130, and still leads at $143,561 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Forestry and Conservation 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Michigan | $138,130 | $143,561 | 60 |
| 2Virginia | $132,820 | $131,370 | 60 |
| 3Oregon | $126,930 | $122,803 | 210 |
| 4Arizona | $115,730 | $114,952 | 60 |
| 5North Carolina | $108,430 | $114,952 | 90 |
| 6Washington | $104,490 | $97,642 | 40 |
| 7Montana | $104,220 | $110,117 | 60 |
| 8Indiana | $102,330 | $109,644 | 40 |
| 9Wisconsin | $98,410 | $104,586 | 40 |
| 10Georgia | $94,310 | $97,941 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | +2.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 100 openings are projected each year, 5.6% of the 1,800 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 Forestry and Conservation 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 forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary.
- Doctoral Degree62.7%
- Post-Doctoral Training22.2%
- Master's Degree15.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 62.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 22.2% |
| Master's Degree | 15.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses in forestry and conservation 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
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
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 dayOutdoors 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 importantDealing with customers or the public is very 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
- Learning Strategies4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Monitoring3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Object oriented data base management software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
“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 Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Forestry and Conservation 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 teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.5
- Investigative5.9
- Realistic4.0
- Conventional3.3
- Artistic3.1
- Enterprising2.4
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 Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary
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Median annual pay, with forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary$101,420
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary | $101,420 |
| 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 Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $101,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 99% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $77,440 and $126,930. The top 10% earn $148,920 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.7% hold doctoral degree.
Is Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. A core O*NET task: prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Customer relationship management CRM software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary are Michigan ($138,130), Virginia ($132,820), Oregon ($126,930) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Forestry and Conservation Science Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Forestry and Conservation 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, INFP, 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.