How to become an environmental science teacher, postsecondary
Teach courses in environmental science. 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 environmental science teachers, postsecondary do
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
Is environmental science teacher, postsecondary a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 86% 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
- Kentucky $139,110
- Maryland $131,060
- Oklahoma $113,680
- Michigan $112,730
- New Mexico $111,270
Environmental Science 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.