Compensation
Median Pay
$109,270
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$109,270
Projected Growth
8.1%
Annual Openings
4,100
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
50,300
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
8.1%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
4,100
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.
Mathematics
97 / 100
97%
Speaking & listening
95 / 100
95%
Science
94 / 100
94%
Creativity & innovation
93 / 100
93%
Critical & analytical thinking
91 / 100
91%
Computers & information technology
90 / 100
90%
Leadership
89 / 100
89%
Adaptability
87 / 100
87%
Writing & reading
82 / 100
82%
Project management
78 / 100
78%
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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 Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Engineering teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Engineering teachers, postsecondary play a key role in higher education, combining advanced engineering knowledge with teaching and mentoring. With national employment of about 50,000 and projected growth of 8.1%, this career offers ongoing opportunities across colleges and universities. The national median annual salary of $106,120 reflects the high level of expertise typically expected, supported by a doctoral or professional degree. This path can appeal to people who enjoy mathematics, science, critical and analytical thinking, and sharing complex ideas through speaking, listening, and writing. The role also rewards creativity and innovation, leadership, and project management, making it attractive to those who want to guide research or complex academic projects. For students, career changers, and professionals interested in an academic engineering track, the combination of professional-level earnings, steady projected growth, and intellectually demanding work makes postsecondary engineering teaching a strong long-term career option to consider.
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for engineering teachers, postsecondary is $106,120, indicating strong earning potential in higher education. Salaries vary meaningfully by state and metro area. Among top states, California and Massachusetts stand out, with median salaries of $137,280 and $134,850, respectively, while Washington also offers a relatively high median of $119,960. New York’s median of $106,240 and Colorado’s $104,070 are closer to the national level. At the metro level, salary differences become even more pronounced. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $175,200, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $154,760. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ offers $123,210, while the Washington, DC region and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH provide median salaries of $126,210 and $135,480. These figures suggest that location choices can significantly influence earning potential within this field.
Job Outlook for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineering teachers, postsecondary have a national employment level of 50,000, with projected employment growth of 8.1%. This growth rate indicates a solid expansion of opportunities over the projection period. In addition to growth, there are an estimated 4,000 annual openings, which reflect both new positions and turnover in existing roles. Together, these indicators suggest that people entering or advancing in this career can expect a continuing flow of opportunities across institutions. The consistent 8.1% growth rate reported for top states and metro areas underscores that this pattern is not limited to a single region. For individuals planning a long-term academic career in engineering education, the combination of existing employment size, projected growth, and recurring openings supports the potential for career stability and movement between institutions or locations, depending on personal goals and preferences.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location plays a significant role in the career landscape for engineering teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California and Massachusetts rank highly by CareerGPS opportunity score (67.38 and 65.87), with relatively high median salaries of $137,280 and $134,850 and employment levels of 2,720 and 2,610. New York has the highest state employment among the top states at 3,240, with a median salary of $106,240 and a comparable 8.1% growth rate. Colorado and Washington also appear strong, with opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29 and median salaries of $104,070 and $119,960. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ areas lead in opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27). San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows the highest listed metro median salary at $175,200, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV combine sizable employment with strong salaries. These differences give prospective faculty flexibility to prioritize salary, opportunity score, or employment concentration.
Education for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for engineering teachers, postsecondary is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced level of expertise and scholarship expected in college and university engineering programs. To succeed in this pathway, individuals benefit from a blend of technical and teaching-focused skills. Mathematics and science form the foundation of the discipline, while critical and analytical thinking supports research and rigorous evaluation of complex problems. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, are central for lecturing, mentoring, and academic communication. Creativity and innovation can be important for developing courses or contributing new ideas to the field. Computers and information technology skills help support modern academic and engineering work. Leadership, adaptability, and project management round out the profile, aligning with responsibilities such as guiding students, coordinating academic activities, or managing research initiatives within an institution.
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