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

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Median Salary
85,810
Job Outlook
-8%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 118,900 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?

$57,140

10%

$85,810

Median

$125,700

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Master's degree

    35%

  • Post-doctoral training

    31%

  • Doctoral degree

    25%

  • Post baccalaureate

    5%

  • Bachelor's degree

    2%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Chemistry, General
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
  • Chemistry Teacher Education
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Chemical Physics
  • Chemistry, Other
  • Geochemistry
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Theoretical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

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

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Investigative

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

Social

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

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

Related Occupations

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.