How to become education teachers, postsecondaryeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$75,350

25th–75th pct. $53,770–$97,590

Top pay (est.)

$164,900

Top 10% $126,860

Pay in 5 years

$86,800est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$99,900est.

$86,000–$116,000

Outlook score

56/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

52%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

+2.5%

5,300 openings / yr

How to become education teachers, postsecondary

Typical education

Doctoral or professional degree

BLS

Related experience

Less than 5 years

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.

Skills, education and requirements for Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Key skills

Speaking

4.9

Reading Comprehension

4.9

Writing

4.9

Active Listening

4.6

Learning Strategies

4.5

Active Learning

4.2

Instructing

4.2

Complex Problem Solving

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training

6.3

English Language

5.9

Sociology and Anthropology

5.1

Psychology

4.9

Communications and Media

4.8

Philosophy and Theology

4.6

Mathematics

4.3

Administration and Management

4.2

What the work involves

Training and Teaching OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoaching and Developing OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationThinking Creatively

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech ClarityWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Doctoral degree

90%

Master's degree

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

13%

6–12 months

13%

Over 10 years

13%

4–10 years

13%

3–6 months

Related work experience

None

32%

4–6 years

26%

2–4 years

14%

Over 10 years

13%

6–8 years

13%

1–2 years

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

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★★ Hard to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as education teachers, postsecondary

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

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.	$63,970	46/100	28%
2	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	$72,040	45/100	36%
3	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.	$64,370	40/100	45%
4	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.	$41,670	49/100	39%
5	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.	$38,140	62/100	16%
6	Self-Enrichment Teachers Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.	$46,800	61/100	22%

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.