Compensation
Median Pay
$123,920
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Economics teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$123,920
Projected Growth
2.1%
Annual Openings
1,200
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
15,800
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
2.1%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
1,200
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
94 / 100
94%
Speaking & listening
89 / 100
89%
Writing & reading
88 / 100
88%
Critical & analytical thinking
85 / 100
85%
Creativity & innovation
77 / 100
77%
Computers & information technology
54 / 100
54%
Problem solving & decision making
48 / 100
48%
Adaptability
44 / 100
44%
Leadership
35 / 100
35%
Interpersonal
33 / 100
33%
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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 Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Economics teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Economics teachers at the postsecondary level teach and work with students in colleges, universities, and similar settings. Nationally, there are 16,000 people employed in this occupation, with projected employment growth of 2.1% and about 1,000 annual openings. The national median annual salary is $119,980, indicating strong earning potential for qualified professionals. This role typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced level of instruction and expertise expected. Success in this field relies on a broad mix of skills, including mathematics, communication, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and computers and information technology. Creativity, adaptability, leadership, and interpersonal strengths also contribute to effectiveness in the classroom and in working with students and colleagues. For people interested in economics who also enjoy teaching and academic environments, this career offers a structured pathway with clearly defined educational expectations and a variety of geographic options across states and major metro areas.
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for economics teachers, postsecondary is $119,980, showing strong earnings at the national level. Salaries vary by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts reports a median salary of $164,410 and California $137,360, both above the national median. New York stands at $127,500, while Colorado and Washington list median salaries of $98,870 and $96,500, respectively. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher in certain areas. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows a median salary of $203,720, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $174,910. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median of $164,050, and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro reports $155,060. These figures highlight a wide earnings range, with some metros and states offering substantially higher median pay than the national level.
Job Outlook for Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Economics teachers, postsecondary have national employment of 16,000, with projected employment growth of 2.1%. This same 2.1% growth rate is reflected in the listed top states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent projected pace of expansion across many key locations. Nationally, there are about 1,000 annual openings in this occupation. Those openings are likely to reflect a combination of new positions and turnover in existing roles, though the specific reasons are not detailed. The steady projected growth, paired with ongoing annual openings, indicates that qualified candidates can expect a continuing flow of opportunities over time. For individuals considering this path, the data suggest that the market is not static: positions should continue to become available both nationally and in leading states and metro areas identified with strong opportunity scores.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Economics Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location matters for economics teachers, postsecondary, both for opportunities and pay. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York combine relatively high median salaries with larger employment levels. Massachusetts reports a median salary of $164,410 with 750 employed, California $137,360 with 770 employed, and New York $127,500 with 1,240 employed. Colorado and Washington offer lower listed median salaries—$98,870 and $96,500—but are still highlighted with solid opportunity scores above 56. All top states share the same projected growth rate of 2.1%. At the metro level, differences are more pronounced. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has the highest median salary at $203,720 but relatively low employment at 50. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has 930 employed with a median salary of $132,140 and one of the highest opportunity scores. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine high median salaries with notable opportunity scores, offering additional concentrated options.
Education for Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for economics teachers, postsecondary is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced level of knowledge and scholarship expected in teaching economics at colleges and universities. Success in this field relies on a strong mix of quantitative, communication, and cognitive skills. Mathematics is central, supported by critical and analytical thinking and problem solving and decision making. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, are key for explaining complex material and engaging with students and colleagues. Computers and information technology skills are also important, indicating that comfort with digital tools and data is part of the role. Creativity and innovation help in developing effective teaching approaches, while adaptability supports working with diverse learners and changing academic environments. Leadership and interpersonal skills round out the profile, aligning with responsibilities that involve guiding students and collaborating within academic institutions.
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