Education and libraries
Economics teachers, postsecondary
Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median pay
$123,920
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,000
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Economics teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
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
Economics teachers, postsecondary: 60% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as econometrics, price theory, and macroeconomics.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Also called: Adjunct Professor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Economics Instructor · Economics Lecturer · Economics Professor · Finance Professor · Instructor
Outlook and AI
Economics teachers, postsecondary held 14,600 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 15,000 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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