What Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary this way: "Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers"; "Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques"; "Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments"; "Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history"; "Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree.
Job outlook for Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 116,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 119,500 in 2035, an increase of 2,600 jobs (+2.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 8,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $78,620, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $97,859 in New York to $97,986 in New Jersey, a gap of $127 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $78,620 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 16,160, which is 51.8% of the 31,190 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 15,030.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($97,986) and New York ($97,859) lead the ranking, while New York ($97,859) and New Jersey ($97,986) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-1000) include Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary.
Frequently asked questions about Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
What is the national median wage for Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $78,620. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $97,859 to $97,986.
Which state pays Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $97,986. New York is next at $97,859.
What is the job outlook for Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,000 openings a year.
What education do Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree, according to BLS.