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Engineering teacher (postsecondary): pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$109,270median pay per year, May 2025[1]
  1. $61,550lowest 10% earn less
  2. $81,57025th percentile
  3. $109,270median
  4. $150,86075th percentile
  5. $210,370top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Postsecondary engineering teachers, the BLS category for college engineering instructors and professors, had a median pay of $109,270 a year[1]. BLS projects 7.8% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.8%[2]
Openings per year
3,900[6]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[7]

How much do engineering teachers make?

In May 2025, the median wage for postsecondary engineering teachers was $109,270 a year[1]. Half earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $124,520 a year[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $61,550, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $81,570[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $150,860, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $210,370[4]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries[9].

BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages, because many of these teachers are paid yearly but work fewer than 2,080 hours a year[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits[11].

Measure Annual wage Source
Median[1] $109,270
Average[8] $124,520
10th percentile[4] $61,550
90th percentile[4] $210,370
All occupations, median[5] $50,980

Pay by state and city

Among 47 states and DC with published data, California was listed first for median pay at $137,280, followed by Illinois at $135,430 and Massachusetts at $134,850[12]. Texas had the most jobs with 4,080, then New York with 3,240 and Pennsylvania with 2,990[13]. Pennsylvania's median of $82,070 was among the lowest listed[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was listed first at $175,200, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $154,760 and Ann Arbor, MI at $140,450[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 2,600, with a median of $123,210[15]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH was next with 2,010 jobs[15].

Show median pay in 47 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$137,2802,720
Illinois$135,4301,040
Massachusetts$134,8502,610
Georgia$131,260700
Delaware$130,730210
Michigan$127,2302,120
New Hampshire$127,070170
Louisiana$125,930300
Connecticut$124,350640
Texas$123,2804,080
Virginia$121,8801,070
Washington$119,960820
Maryland$117,200690
Kansas$115,160280
Wisconsin$112,830720
Idaho$112,240180
Kentucky$110,810340
New Jersey$109,9101,270
North Dakota$109,710220
Alaska$109,60040
Arizona$108,540370
Minnesota$108,390560
Nevada$107,890290
Oregon$106,840610
New York$106,2403,240
Indiana$106,0101,500
New Mexico$105,410290
Utah$105,180320
Arkansas$104,210120
Vermont$104,11090
Colorado$104,0701,100
Alabama$103,580650
South Carolina$103,420490
Wyoming$103,380120
Iowa$103,360430
Rhode Island$102,690n/a
Ohio$102,4101,260
District of Columbia$101,970140
Montana$101,170280
Tennessee$100,640790
Mississippi$100,440330
West Virginia$100,400240
Oklahoma$99,790470
South Dakota$97,700120
Florida$97,340n/a
Nebraska$95,860390
Maine$88,750180
Pennsylvania$82,0702,990

How to become an engineering teacher

BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience or on-the-job training needed[7]. The training details below come from a BLS profile of postsecondary teachers in general, which covers a wider group than this job[16].

Requirements vary by school type. Some schools hire people with a master's degree for certain specialties or part-time posts, and community colleges may hire them too[18][21].

A doctorate holder often seeks tenure, which can take up to 7 years and several ranks, from assistant professor to professor[22]. Some professors move into administration, as deans or presidents[23].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Five, which means extensive preparation is needed[24].

What engineering teachers do

O*NET describes the job as teaching the application of physical laws and engineering principles. Subjects include chemical, civil, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering[25]. Some teachers focus on teaching, and others combine teaching with research[25]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include assistant professor, associate professor and engineering instructor[27].

Where they work

In the wider postsecondary teachers profile, colleges, universities and professional schools run by states were the largest employers at 41% in 2025[28]. Full-time work is typical, though part-time work is common[29]. Classes are generally held during the day, with some in the evenings or on weekends[30].

Academic calendars usually include breaks between terms. Some teachers teach in summer, and others use that time for research[31]. Full-time teachers usually need to be on campus for classes and office hours, and otherwise set their own schedules[32]. The profile notes that balancing teaching with research and publishing can be stressful, especially for beginning teachers seeking advancement[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of postsecondary engineering teachers to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 50,900 to 54,900 jobs[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[3].

About 3,900 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come open when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.5% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 3% to move to a different occupation[34].

BLS names demand as a factor. It expects demand for engineering degrees to increase[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with high pay and a long road in. Median pay of $109,270 is more than twice the $50,980 all-occupations median[1][5]. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree[7], and doctoral programs usually take several years[17]. Tenure can take up to 7 more years[22]. BLS projects growth faster than the all-occupations rate[2][3]. Pay varies widely, from $61,550 at the 10th percentile to $210,370 at the 90th[4].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an engineering professor make a year?
The median wage for postsecondary engineering teachers was $109,270 a year in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $61,550 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $210,370[4].
How much does an engineering teacher make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[10].
What degree do you need to be an engineering teacher?
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education[7]. Some schools may hire people with a master's degree[18][21].
Is engineering teaching in demand?
BLS projects 7.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 3,900 openings a year are projected[6].
Which state pays engineering teachers the most?
California is listed first for median annual wage at $137,280 among states with published data[12]. Texas has the most jobs at 4,080[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary in the US was $109,270 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 50,900 to 54,900 jobs (a change of +3,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $61,550, 25th percentile $81,570, 75th percentile $150,860, 90th percentile $210,370. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,900 openings for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary was $124,520 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS publishes only annual wages for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: Texas 4,080; New York 3,240; Pennsylvania 2,990; California 2,720; Massachusetts 2,610. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $175,200; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $154,760; Ann Arbor, MI $140,450; Madison, WI $137,840; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $137,760; Raleigh-Cary, NC $137,290; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $135,480; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $132,210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,600 (median $123,210); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 2,010 (median $135,480); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,700 (median $79,210); College Station-Bryan, TX 1,160 (median $129,110); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,130 (median $137,760); Pittsburgh, PA 760 (median $77,870). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Postsecondary Teachers" covers Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 25-1032.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET description of Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 25-1032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering Professor, Electrical Engineering Professor, Engineering Instructor, Engineering Professor, Environmental Engineering Professor, Instructor. O*NET OnLine
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of postsecondary teachers in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary: Demand change - share increases as demand for engineering degrees is expected to increase. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.