Compensation
Median Pay
$99,080
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Business teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$99,080
Projected Growth
5.7%
Annual Openings
8,100
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
103,100
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
5.7%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
8,100
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Speaking & listening
97 / 100
97%
Writing & reading
90 / 100
90%
Mathematics
89 / 100
89%
Adaptability
88 / 100
88%
Critical & analytical thinking
80 / 100
80%
Creativity & innovation
76 / 100
76%
Leadership
69 / 100
69%
Computers & information technology
64 / 100
64%
Problem solving & decision making
61 / 100
61%
Interpersonal
58 / 100
58%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Business teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Business teachers, postsecondary (occupation code 25-1011) work in an academic setting, focusing on teaching business-related subjects to college-level students. Nationally, there are 103,000 people employed in this career, and the projected employment growth is 5.7%. With about 8,000 annual openings, there is a steady flow of opportunities for new and experienced professionals. The national median annual salary of $97,270 indicates solid earning potential, with some states and metro areas offering significantly higher typical pay. This role typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, making it a strong option for those who want to combine advanced study with a teaching-focused career path. Key strengths for success include communication skills, critical and analytical thinking, leadership, problem solving, and solid competence with mathematics and information technology. For people who enjoy sharing knowledge and working with students in a structured educational environment, this career offers a stable, highly skilled professional track.
Business Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for business teachers, postsecondary is $97,270, but pay can vary widely by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $78,210 in Colorado to $128,470 in California. New York, Massachusetts, and Washington also show six-figure median salaries at $104,490, $103,110, and $100,390 respectively. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA area stands out with a median salary of $160,090, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV both offer typical pay in the upper $120,000s. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH metros sit around the low- to mid-$100,000 range. Overall, the data shows that location choice can significantly influence earning potential in this career.
Job Outlook for Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Business teachers, postsecondary have a national employment level of 103,000, reflecting a sizable professional community. Projected employment growth of 5.7% indicates that the field is expected to expand over time. With about 8,000 annual openings, there is a consistent stream of positions becoming available. These openings may come from a combination of new roles and turnover in existing positions, creating opportunities for both new graduates and experienced educators. The same 5.7% growth rate appears in the top states and metro areas by CareerGPS opportunity score, suggesting a generally consistent growth expectation across highlighted locations. For individuals planning a long-term academic career, these figures point to a field with ongoing demand rather than a static or shrinking job market. While competition can vary by institution and region, the combination of current employment, projected growth, and annual openings supports a stable overall outlook.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Business Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location has a clear impact on both opportunity and pay for business teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California ranks highest by CareerGPS opportunity score (67.38), with a median salary of $128,470 and employment of 5,290. New York and Massachusetts follow closely in opportunity score, with median salaries of $104,490 and $103,110 and employment levels of 7,480 and 4,190, respectively. Washington and Colorado also appear in the top states, though Colorado’s median salary of $78,210 is notably lower than the others listed. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with the highest opportunity score (77.42) and a median salary of $160,090. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro also scores highly (77.27) with a median salary of $104,770 and 6,840 employed. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV show high salaries around the upper $120,000s, while Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH offers solid pay and sizable employment. These differences show that both salary and job concentration vary meaningfully across regions.
Education for Business Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for business teachers, postsecondary is a doctoral or professional degree. This advanced level of education aligns with the expectations of teaching at the college level, where instructors are often responsible for delivering in-depth, specialized knowledge. Success in this field is supported by a broad set of skills. Strong speaking and listening abilities, along with writing and reading skills, are essential for communicating complex material and engaging with students. Mathematics and competence with computers and information technology support the more quantitative and technical aspects of business education. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision making help in guiding discussions and evaluating student work. Adaptability, creativity and innovation, leadership, and interpersonal skills round out the profile, contributing to effective classroom management and collaboration with colleagues. For those willing to pursue advanced degrees and develop these skills, the educational pathway prepares them for a professional, teaching-focused career in business education.
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