All careers › Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental science teacher (college): pay, outlook and how to become one
- $57,780lowest 10% earn less
- $69,88025th percentile
- $94,980median
- $126,90075th percentile
- $164,190top 10% earn more
College environmental science teachers had a median pay of $94,980 a year[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 2.7%, a little slower than all occupations[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.7%[2]
- Openings per year
- 600[6]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[7]
How much do environmental science teachers make?
The median wage for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary was $94,980 a year in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $103,610[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $57,780, and the 25th percentile was $69,880[4]. The 75th percentile was $126,900 and the 90th percentile was $164,190[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].
BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers and leave out the self-employed, bonuses outside regular production pay and benefits[11]. About 6,690 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Among 37 states and DC with published data, Kentucky had the highest median at $139,110, but that rests on 70 jobs[13]. Maryland followed at $131,060, then Oklahoma at $113,680 and Michigan at $112,730[13].
New York had the most jobs at 610, ahead of Texas with 380 and New Jersey with 350[14]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $130,260, followed by Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA at $110,540[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs at 530, with a median of $103,460[16].
Show median pay in 37 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky[13] | $139,110 | 70 |
| Maryland | $131,060 | 220 |
| Oklahoma | $113,680 | 30 |
| Michigan | $112,730 | 270 |
| New Mexico | $111,270 | 50 |
| California | $108,290 | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $106,110 | 280 |
| Virginia | $104,730 | 300 |
| Illinois | $104,440 | 170 |
| Utah | $103,510 | 40 |
| New Hampshire | $102,650 | 90 |
| New York | $102,640 | 610 |
| Vermont | $102,580 | 100 |
| Washington | $101,430 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $99,540 | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $99,300 | n/a |
| Tennessee | $98,560 | 100 |
| Montana | $97,890 | 60 |
| Nevada | $94,820 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $93,640 | 120 |
| Maine | $92,120 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,640 | 240 |
| Oregon | $90,270 | 170 |
| Georgia | $84,290 | 330 |
| Missouri | $83,210 | 100 |
| Ohio | $82,920 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $82,360 | 210 |
| Arizona | $81,730 | 190 |
| Iowa | $79,570 | 40 |
| Texas | $79,160 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $79,120 | 160 |
| Colorado | $78,800 | 210 |
| Indiana | $78,400 | 70 |
| Florida | $77,830 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $76,210 | n/a |
| Alabama | $64,700 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $59,910 | 40 |
How to become an environmental science teacher
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training[7]. In an O*NET survey of 50 workers, 52% said a doctoral degree is required, 30% said post-doctoral training and 18% said a master's degree[17].
The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers postsecondary teachers as a wider group, not only this job[18].
- First: earn a doctorate in your field. Four-year colleges and universities typically want one, and some specialties or part-time posts may take a master's degree[19].
- Next: expect several years of doctoral study, usually after a bachelor's or master's degree[20].
- Then: build experience. In fields such as biological science, physics and chemistry, some teachers do a postdoctoral research job, and some teach as graduate teaching assistants[21][22].
- Later: teachers with a doctoral degree often seek tenure, which can take up to 7 years[23].
Community colleges may hire teachers with a master's degree, though some prefer a Ph.D.[24].
What environmental science teachers do
O*NET says these teachers teach environmental science courses, and some also do research[25]. Tasks include:
- Grading class work, lab work and papers[26].
- Preparing syllabi, homework and handouts[26].
- Supervising students in the lab and field[26].
- Advising students on their studies and careers[26].
- Planning and updating courses[26].
- Leading class discussions[26].
- Doing research and publishing the results[26].
Workers report titles such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Adjunct Professor[27].
Where they work
Speaking of the wider postsecondary teacher group, BLS says most work full time, though part-time work is common[28]. Courses are generally held during the day, with some evening or weekend classes[29]. Schedules are generally flexible, but full-time teachers need to be on campus to teach and hold office hours[30]. Academic calendars typically include breaks between terms, and some teachers use the summer for research or professional development[31]. BLS notes that balancing teaching with research and publishing can be stressful, especially for beginning teachers seeking advancement[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 8,400 to 8,700 jobs[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers and differ from the wage survey count[2].
About 600 openings a year are projected on average[6]. They include jobs that open when workers retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.5% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[33].
Is it a good fit?
The pay is well above the all-occupations median[1][5]. The entry education is a doctoral or professional degree, which is a long path[7][20]. Growth is slightly below the all-occupations rate, and the field is small[2][3][12]. Pay also differs a lot by state, so the local market matters[13].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an environmental science teacher make?
- The median for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary was $94,980 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS publishes only annual wages for this job[10].
- What degree do you need to be an environmental science teacher in college?
- BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education[7].
- Is environmental science teaching in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 600 openings a year are expected[6].
- What is the highest paying state for environmental science teachers?
- Kentucky had the highest median at $139,110, based on 70 jobs, followed by Maryland at $131,060[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the US was $94,980 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 8,400 to 8,700 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $57,780, 25th percentile $69,880, 75th percentile $126,900, 90th percentile $164,190. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 600 openings for Environmental Science 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
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Environmental Science 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
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary was $103,610 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- 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
- BLS publishes only annual wages for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- 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
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 6,690 people were employed as Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York 610; Texas 380; New Jersey 350; Georgia 330; California 300. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $130,260; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $110,540; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $107,010; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $104,810; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $103,460; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $90,030; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $85,740; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $77,190. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 530 (median $103,460); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 200 (median $104,810); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 190 (median $110,540); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 170 (median $107,010); Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 140 (median $77,190); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 120 (median $85,740). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 25-1053.00 survey of workers (50 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 52%, Post-Doctoral Training 30%, Master's Degree 18% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Postsecondary Teachers" covers Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 25-1053.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Environmental Engineering Professor, Environmental Sciences Professor, Environmental Studies Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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.