Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Postsecondary engineering teachers instruct students on applying physical laws and engineering principles to create machines, processes, materials, and services. Their day-to-day activities focus heavily on teaching, training, and coaching others, alongside analyzing data and processing information. These educators must constantly update their own knowledge to keep up with technological advancements. They teach various disciplines, including chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Some of these professionals focus entirely on instruction, while others balance teaching with academic research.

To succeed in this role, individuals need strong skills in instructing, speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. They must also possess deep knowledge in engineering, technology, mathematics, physics, design, and computers. A strong interest in social activities is essential, as the job revolves around helping and communicating with students and colleagues. These teachers rely on work styles such as intellectual curiosity, innovation, dependability, and attention to detail to solve complex problems and design effective course materials.

Entering this career typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, as most positions demand extensive preparation. Prospective teachers usually earn graduate degrees, such as a master's degree or a PhD, before they can teach at the college level. Common college majors that lead to this career path include general engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering.

While advanced degrees are the primary requirement, some professionals in this field also seek specialized certifications to enhance their credentials. Examples of related certifications include the LIUNA Instructor Certification from LIUNA Training and Education, as well as the Value Methodology Associate Certification offered by the Society of American Value Engineers. These credentials can help demonstrate specialized expertise in instruction or specific engineering methodologies.

In 2025, the median annual pay for postsecondary engineering teachers was $109,270. Earnings in this field vary based on experience, institution, and location. The lowest 10 percent of earners in this profession make less than $61,550, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $210,370.

With 40,270 people employed in this field, the occupation is projected to grow by 7.8 percent from 2025 to 2035. This rate of growth is faster than the average for all occupations. Due to this growth and the need to replace departing workers, about 3,900 job openings are projected to become available each year.