Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

25-1053.00 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Also known as: Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, College Faculty Member, College Professor, Conservation Educator, Conservation Science Teacher, Educator, ...

Annual Salary

$87,710

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$64,360 25th – 75th percentile $124,680
10th percentile $50,670
90th percentile $164,290
U.S. Employment: 7,130

Job Outlook

+2.9%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 700 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Doctoral or professional degree

What You'd Do

  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  • Supervise students' laboratory and field work.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • 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.

Top Skills

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
Instructing 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

English Language 4.4
Education and Training 4.4
Biology 4.3
Chemistry 4.0
Mathematics 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.8
Geography 3.6
Engineering and Technology 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Doctoral
52.5%
Post-Doctoral
29.7%
Master's
17.5%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Acrobat Autodesk AutoCAD ESRI ArcGIS software Google Docs Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Blackboard Learn Calendar and scheduling software Collaborative editing software Course management system software Desire2Learn LMS software DOC Cop Email software Geographic information system GIS systems Google Drive Image scanning software iParadigms Turnitin Learning management system LMS Sakai CLE Social media software Web browser software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Intellectual Curiosity
2.4
Dependability
2.3
Innovation
2.1
Achievement Orientation
2.1
Social Orientation
2.1
Integrity
2.1
Attention to Detail

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Expression 4.4
Written Comprehension 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0
Inductive Reasoning 4.0
Near Vision 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Training and Teaching Others 4.5
Getting Information 4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.4
Working with Computers 4.3
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.2
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others 4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.1
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
4.9
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.7
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.6
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.6
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.5
Contact With Others
4.3
Public Speaking
4.2
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.1
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.1
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.1
Telephone Conversations
3.8
Spend Time Sitting
3.6

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.