Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

These educators teach college students about agricultural topics, which can range from soil conservation and horticulture to poultry and dairy sciences. On a daily basis, their work centers on training and instructing others, which requires strong skills in speaking, active listening, and reading comprehension. They must gather information, interpret complex data for their students, and constantly update their own professional knowledge.

Beyond lecturing, these teachers spend significant time coaching students, solving academic problems, and communicating with university colleagues and external agricultural organizations. This career appeals to individuals with a strong social interest who enjoy helping others learn. Success in this role requires a deep knowledge of biology, education, food production, and geography. Teachers must also utilize diverse learning strategies and critical thinking to design effective coursework. Important work styles for this profession include intellectual curiosity, dependability, cooperation, and a strong orientation toward leadership and innovation.

Entering this academic field requires extensive preparation. The typical educational path to enter the profession is a doctoral or professional degree, though most individuals in this job zone need some form of graduate degree, such as a master's degree or a PhD. Students preparing for this career typically major in agriculture, agricultural business and management, agricultural production operations, or food science and technology. Other relevant college majors include animal sciences, plant sciences, applied horticulture, and specific subject teacher education.

While teaching, professionals can seek voluntary credentials to demonstrate their specialized expertise. Examples of relevant credentials include the Certified Crop Advisor and the Certified Professional Agronomist, both offered by the American Society of Agronomy. Another option is the LIUNA Instructor Certification, which is provided by LIUNA Training and Education.

In 2025, the median annual pay for these postsecondary teachers was $98,700. Earnings vary based on experience, institution, and region, with the lowest 10% of earners making less than $50,870 and the highest 10% earning more than $163,150. There are 8,920 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 2.9%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in 800 job openings each year.