Compensation
Median Pay
$94,980
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$94,980
Projected Growth
2.9%
Annual Openings
700
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
9,000
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
2.9%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
700
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.
Science
99 / 100
99%
Speaking & listening
94 / 100
94%
Writing & reading
91 / 100
91%
Creativity & innovation
87 / 100
87%
Critical & analytical thinking
87 / 100
87%
Leadership
86 / 100
86%
Mathematics
85 / 100
85%
Adaptability
77 / 100
77%
Project management
74 / 100
74%
Computers & information technology
70 / 100
70%
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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.
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Best Metro Areas
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- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Environmental science teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Environmental science teachers in postsecondary settings work within a relatively specialized but established field. National employment stands at 9,000, with projected growth of 2.9% and about 1,000 annual openings, suggesting a modest flow of opportunities for new and experienced educators. The national median annual salary of $87,710 indicates solid earning potential, with some states and metro areas offering higher pay. This role suits people who want to combine advanced environmental science knowledge with skills in communication, critical thinking, and leadership in an academic environment. Opportunity varies by location, with certain states and metropolitan regions showing particularly strong salary levels and opportunity scores. Individuals who enjoy science, teaching, research-oriented environments, and guiding students’ development may find this a rewarding path. Similar occupations include other postsecondary teaching roles in biological, engineering, chemical, physical, and atmospheric or earth sciences, offering related academic career alternatives for those with broad interests in science education.
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary, earn a national median annual salary of $87,710. This places the occupation in a solid earning range, with the potential for higher income depending on location. Among states, California ($108,290), Massachusetts ($106,110), New York ($102,640), and Washington ($101,430) all report median salaries above $100,000, while Colorado is lower at $78,800. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, shows the highest listed median salary at $130,260, followed by Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, at $107,010 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, at $104,810. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, also offers a strong median of $103,460. These figures highlight that educators willing to target specific regions may access significantly higher pay than the national median, particularly in selected metro areas.
Job Outlook for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
This occupation shows a national projected employment growth rate of 2.9%, with current employment at 9,000. The presence of about 1,000 annual openings indicates ongoing turnover and hiring needs across institutions. The consistent 2.9% growth rate listed for multiple states and metro areas suggests a broadly similar growth expectation across different regions covered here. While the total employment size is relatively small compared with some larger fields, the combination of steady growth and regular openings can be attractive for candidates who meet the advanced education requirements. The opportunity scores in leading states and metros show that, beyond national figures, some areas may offer more favorable overall conditions. For individuals with a strong interest in environmental science and postsecondary teaching, these projections outline a field with measured but continuing demand rather than rapid expansion, supporting both new entrants and those looking to advance within academic roles.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location plays a significant role in the opportunity profile for environmental science teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York stand out with opportunity scores above 65 and median salaries over $100,000, paired with employment ranging from 280 to 610. Washington also offers a median salary above $100,000, though with somewhat lower employment at 190 and a moderate opportunity score of 56.29. Colorado presents a different balance: a lower median salary of $78,800 but an opportunity score of 56.97 and employment of 210. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, leads with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 530, along with a median salary of $103,460. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, combines the highest listed median salary at $130,260 with a strong opportunity score of 61.92. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, also show attractive combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores.
Education for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for environmental science teachers at the postsecondary level is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced academic and research orientation of the role. Success in this career draws on a wide-ranging skill set. Core strengths include science knowledge, mathematics, and computers and information technology, supporting the technical and analytical aspects of teaching and scholarship. Strong speaking and listening skills, along with writing and reading, are essential for communicating complex material and working effectively with students and colleagues. Creativity and innovation help in developing courses and learning experiences, while critical and analytical thinking support rigorous evaluation of scientific information. Leadership and project management skills are also important, especially in coordinating academic projects or initiatives. For students and career changers, this combination of high-level education and broad, versatile skills defines the professional profile needed to enter and advance in this field.
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