Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,700 | Data unavailable |
| Median (50th percentile) | $103,170 | Data unavailable |
| Mean (average) | $116,020 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $203,190 | Data unavailable |
BLS publishes only annual wages for this occupation because workers are typically paid on an annual basis rather than hourly.
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 40 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $81,940 | $56,080 | $127,790 | 90 | 0.67 |
| Arizona | $110,600 | $78,780 | $175,470 | 240 | 1.17 |
| California | $133,230 | $73,170 | $260,890 | 1,410 | 1.21 |
| Colorado | $79,190 | $45,030 | $171,850 | 340 | 1.84 |
| Connecticut | $123,770 | $67,520 | $226,580 | 230 | 2.15 |
| Florida | $81,980 | $58,730 | $140,910 | 350 | 0.55 |
| Georgia | $94,790 | $76,300 | $126,060 | 50 | 0.18 |
| Illinois | $87,150 | $49,400 | $170,660 | 150 | 0.4 |
| Indiana | $99,970 | $60,520 | $160,770 | 130 | 0.65 |
| Iowa | $97,660 | $68,690 | $132,480 | 50 | 0.49 |
| Kansas | $101,750 | $57,460 | $172,460 | 80 | 0.91 |
| Kentucky | $95,830 | $60,860 | $179,250 | 40 | 0.34 |
| Maine | $95,320 | $60,760 | $170,050 | 130 | 3.09 |
| Maryland | $107,700 | $71,480 | $214,340 | 180 | 1.03 |
| Massachusetts | $108,930 | $64,150 | $217,460 | 470 | 2.03 |
| Michigan | $104,780 | $55,210 | $170,720 | 180 | 0.66 |
| Minnesota | $102,900 | $66,680 | $162,200 | 90 | 0.49 |
| Mississippi | $77,670 | $61,380 | $100,340 | 120 | 1.63 |
| Missouri | $102,200 | $57,690 | $192,270 | 130 | 0.68 |
| Nevada | $105,860 | $62,850 | $160,750 | 60 | 0.58 |
| New Hampshire | $130,230 | $63,990 | $163,450 | 50 | 1.12 |
| New Jersey | $131,930 | $66,110 | $217,160 | 270 | 0.98 |
| New Mexico | $106,990 | $61,380 | $137,420 | 50 | 0.95 |
| New York | $87,350 | $51,520 | $203,190 | 1,730 | 2.81 |
| North Carolina | $102,980 | $63,180 | $174,010 | 360 | 1.13 |
| North Dakota | $98,000 | $79,960 | $141,730 | 60 | 2.05 |
| Ohio | $94,890 | $64,340 | $158,860 | 150 | 0.42 |
| Oklahoma | $104,270 | $67,180 | $180,830 | 30 | 0.29 |
| Oregon | $128,140 | $75,970 | $174,730 | 340 | 2.73 |
| Pennsylvania | $105,650 | $69,370 | $159,250 | 220 | 0.58 |
| South Carolina | $76,500 | $53,990 | $115,530 | 80 | 0.58 |
| South Dakota | $63,160 | $59,480 | $116,740 | 70 | 2.46 |
| Tennessee | $85,020 | $50,250 | $127,530 | 120 | 0.57 |
| Texas | $105,080 | $62,910 | $208,320 | 690 | 0.77 |
| Utah | $97,240 | $62,890 | $162,180 | 180 | 1.61 |
| Virginia | $119,940 | $65,240 | $214,740 | 230 | 0.89 |
| Washington | $103,070 | $58,360 | $165,070 | 210 | 0.91 |
| West Virginia | $81,850 | $57,010 | $120,560 | 40 | 0.9 |
| Wisconsin | $107,370 | $67,180 | $175,740 | 130 | 0.71 |
| Wyoming | $100,240 | $52,790 | $129,920 | 50 | 2.68 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education CIP 13.1316
- Earth Science Teacher Education CIP 13.1337
- Climate Science CIP 30.3501
- Earth Systems Science CIP 30.3801
- Environmental Geosciences CIP 30.4101
- Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science CIP 30.5001
- Astronomy CIP 40.0201
- Astrophysics CIP 40.0202
- Planetary Astronomy and Science CIP 40.0203
- Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other CIP 40.0299
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General CIP 40.0401
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology CIP 40.0402
- Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics CIP 40.0403
- Meteorology CIP 40.0404
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other CIP 40.0499
- Geology/Earth Science, General CIP 40.0601
- Geochemistry CIP 40.0602
- Geophysics and Seismology CIP 40.0603
- Paleontology CIP 40.0604
- Hydrology and Water Resources Science CIP 40.0605
- Geochemistry and Petrology CIP 40.0606
- Oceanography, Chemical and Physical CIP 40.0607
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other CIP 40.0699
- Physics and Astronomy CIP 40.1101
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Supervise laboratory work and field work.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Technology skills
- Learning management system LMS (in demand)
- Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Adobe After Effects (hot technology)
- Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- ESRI ArcGIS software (hot technology)
- Google Docs (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- The MathWorks MATLAB (hot technology)
- ACD Systems Canvas
- Ansys Fluent
- Blackboard Learn
- Blackboard software
Transferable skills for career changers: Instructing, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Systems Analysis, Coordination.
Common job titles: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Astronomy Professor, Atmospheric Sciences Professor, Geology Professor, Instructor, Meteorology Professor, Oceanography Professor, Professor, Research Professor.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median annual wage for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary was $103,170 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $59,700 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $203,190. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary need?
BLS lists doctoral or professional degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary a growing career?
BLS projects employment of atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary to change +2.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($133,230), New Jersey ($131,930), New Hampshire ($130,230). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.