Education and libraries
History teachers, postsecondary
Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median pay
$83,820
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
1,500
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
History 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
History teachers, postsecondary: 72% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Also called: Adjunct History Instructor · Adjunct Instructor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · History Instructor · History Professor · History Teacher · Instructor
Outlook and AI
History teachers, postsecondary held 23,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 23,200 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Sociology teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Political science teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Geography teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Library science teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
- History teachers, postsecondary vs. Law teachers, postsecondary