Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Median Salary
101,390
Job Outlook
+7%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

What sectors do they work in?

No data available for this section.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 114,000 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$56,290

10%

$101,390

Median

$129,000

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Master's degree

    46%

  • Doctoral degree

    28%

  • Post-doctoral training

    16%

  • Post baccalaureate

    5%

  • Post-master's certificate

    3%


Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
  • Geology/Earth Science, General
  • Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
  • Meteorology
  • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other
  • Climate Science
  • Earth Systems Science
  • Geophysics and Seismology
  • Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
  • Astrophysics
  • Astronomy
  • Planetary Astronomy and Science
  • Hydrology and Water Resources Science
  • Earth Science Teacher Education
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Geochemistry
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other
  • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other
  • Environmental Geosciences
  • Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology
  • Paleontology
  • Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics

Skills and Interests

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low


What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Education and Training
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Geography
  • Biology

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low


What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.