How to become an agricultural sciences teacher, postsecondary
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require graduate school. for example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a ph.d., m.d., or j.d. (law degree)..Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
What agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary do
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as crop production, plant genetics, and soil chemistry.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Is agricultural sciences teacher, postsecondary a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 94% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Michigan $136,130
- New Jersey $131,380
- Maryland $129,920
- Tennessee $128,270
- Delaware $126,770
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.