Education and libraries
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
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.
Median pay
$103,170
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
800
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary: 76% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Astronomy Professor · Atmospheric Sciences Professor · Geology Professor · Instructor · Meteorology Professor · Oceanography Professor
Outlook and AI
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary held 12,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 12,300 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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