What Education Teachers, Postsecondary do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Education Teachers, Postsecondary this way: "Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. 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: "Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts"; "Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as children's literature, learning and development, and reading instruction"; "Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions"; "Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers"; "Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Education Teachers, Postsecondary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 77,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 79,200 in 2035, an increase of 2,000 jobs (+2.5%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 5,300 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 6.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $75,350, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Education 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 $78,262 in New Jersey to $79,823 in New York, a gap of $1,560 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $75,350 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,010, which is 51.4% of the 13,650 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 6,640.
Highest-paying states
New York ($79,823) and New Jersey ($78,262) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($78,262) and New York ($79,823) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-1000) include Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary.
Frequently asked questions about Education Teachers, Postsecondary
How much do Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $75,350. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $78,262 to $79,823.
Which state pays Education Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $79,823. New Jersey is next at $78,262.
Is Education Teachers, Postsecondary a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 5,300 openings a year.
What education do Education Teachers, Postsecondary need?
The typical entry-level education is doctoral or professional degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.