Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

United States SOC 25-1021.00 Education Confidence ★★★★★

Also called: Adjunct Computer Science Professor, Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, C++ Professor, College Faculty Member, College Professor, Computer Applications Instructor

Teach courses in computer science.

Median annual pay
$96,980
25th–75th pct. $66,600–$131,320
Top pay (est.)
$221,300
Top 10% $170,200
Pay in 5 years
$110,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$126,000est.
$108,400–$146,300
Outlook score
62/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
63%
High
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.9%
3,200 openings / yr

What computer science teachers, postsecondary do

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Typical tasks

Typical path into the job (BLS)

Education Doctoral or professional degreeRelated experience NoneOn-the-job training NoneO*NET Job Zone 5

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary

The median annual wage for computer science teachers, postsecondary is $96,980 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $49,460 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $170,200. The mean annual wage is $104,420.

Median
$96,980
Mean
$104,420
10th percentile
$49,460
Entry level
25th percentile
$66,600
75th percentile
$131,320
90th percentile
$170,200
Top earners
In Japanese yen
¥15.25M
≈ at 157.25 JPY/USD

How does your pay compare with people your age?

Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).

Pay by percentile

Entry level (10th pct.)
$49,460
Early career (25th pct.)
$66,600
Mid career (median)
$96,980
Experienced (75th pct.)
$131,320
Top earners (90th pct.)
$170,200

Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.

How median, percentiles and the pay range are defined →

Projected pay for Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $96,980 → in 3 years $104,900 → in 5 years $110,600 → in 10 years $126,000 (10-year range $108,400–$146,300). The model assumes pay growth of +2.6% per year.

$96,980
Now
2026
$104,900
In 3 yrs
2029
$96,900–$114,200
$110,600
In 5 yrs
2031
$99,600–$123,100
$126,000
In 10 yrs
2036
$108,400–$146,300

What drives the annual growth rate

Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand +0.05%AI impact -0.39%Total +2.6% / yr

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

62/100
★★★☆☆
Average · ranked #188 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
81 pts
AI resistance
37 pts
Entry barrier
95 pts
Annual openings
50 pts
Projected growth
70 pts

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Will AI replace Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary? AI replacement risk

63%
High
Ranked #678 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Labor demand for Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Employment
35K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
46K
2025–35
Projected change
+4.9%
ranked #240 for growth
Annual openings
3,200
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
High
60/100
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
None

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Skills, education and requirements for Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
5.0
Writing
4.9
Speaking
4.9
Instructing
4.8
Critical Thinking
4.5
Active Listening
4.4
Learning Strategies
4.4
Active Learning
4.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics
6.5
Education and Training
6.4
Customer and Personal Service
5.3
English Language
5.1
Mathematics
4.8
Administrative
4.4
Engineering and Technology
4.3
Administration and Management
4.2

What the work involves

Thinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeTraining and Teaching OthersGetting InformationProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsWorking with Computers

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClarityNear Vision

Education of workers

Master's degree
47%
Doctoral degree
42%
Bachelor's degree
11%

Training before entry

None / short demo
33%
Up to 1 month
30%
2–4 years
12%
1–3 months
8%
6–12 months
8%
1–2 years
5%
4–10 years
3%

Related work experience

2–4 years
32%
4–6 years
21%
Over 10 years
16%
1–2 years
12%
None
10%
8–10 years
3%
3–6 months
3%
6–12 months
2%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

How to become computer science teachers, postsecondary

Typical education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Career path and how to earn more as computer science teachers, postsecondary

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.