Education and libraries
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median pay
$109,270
Growth to 2035
+8%
faster than average
Openings a year
3,900
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to engineering 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
Hazardous conditions
Engineering teachers, postsecondary: 93% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as mechanics, hydraulics, and robotics.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate class discussions.
Also called: Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Chemical Engineering Professor · Electrical Engineering Professor · Engineering Instructor · Engineering Professor · Environmental Engineering Professor · Instructor
Outlook and AI
Engineering teachers, postsecondary held 50,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 54,900 by 2035 (+8%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Demand change - share increases as demand for engineering degrees is expected to increase.
Compare with
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Physics teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Architectural and engineering managers
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Computer science teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Materials scientist
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
- Engineering teachers, postsecondary vs. Architecture teachers, postsecondary