Education and libraries
Law teachers, postsecondary
Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median pay
$128,500
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,800
Time to qualify*
7 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Law teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
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
Law teachers, postsecondary: 89% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, papers, and oral presentations.
- 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.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as civil procedure, contracts, and torts.
Also called: Business Law Professor · Clinical Law Professor · Law Instructor · Law Professor · Legal Studies Professor · Legal Writing Professor · Paralegal Instructor · Paralegal Studies Professor
Outlook and AI
Law teachers, postsecondary held 25,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 26,500 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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- Law teachers, postsecondary vs. Sociology teachers, postsecondary
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- Law teachers, postsecondary vs. Economics teachers, postsecondary
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