Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Postsecondary environmental science teachers instruct students in higher education settings, which can include lecturing, leading discussions, and grading assignments. Those in this field may focus purely on teaching or split their time between classroom instruction and scientific research. To succeed, these professionals must excel at training and teaching others, gathering information, and interpreting complex data for their students. They regularly use computers, communicate with colleagues, and plan out coursework.

This career strongly appeals to individuals with investigative interests who enjoy intellectual curiosity, innovation, and independent problem-solving. Teachers must possess strong skills in speaking, reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. They also need a deep foundation of knowledge in biology, chemistry, geography, and mathematics, alongside education and training principles. Dependability, attention to detail, and cooperation are key work styles that help these educators manage their classrooms and collaborate with university departments.

Entering this career typically requires extensive preparation. The standard entry-level education is a doctoral or professional degree, though some positions may accept a master's degree. Students preparing for this career often major in fields such as natural resources conservation and research, ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology, sustainability studies, environmental geosciences, geography, or chemistry.

Some individuals may also pursue majors in teacher education and professional development for specific subject areas. While specific licensing requirements vary by institution and role, the Praxis Subject Assessment: General Science: Content Knowledge (5436) from the Educational Testing Service is a certification related to this field.

In 2025, the median annual pay for postsecondary environmental science teachers was $94,980. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience, institution, and region; the lowest 10% of earners in this field make less than $57,780, while the highest 10% earn more than $164,190.

There are 6,690 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 2.7%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. During this ten-year period, about 600 job openings are expected to become available each year.