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College Professor

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What Postsecondary Teachers Do About this section

Professors may teach a variety of subjects, such as history, science, or business.

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

Duties

Postsecondary teachers typically do the following:

Develop an instructional plan (known as a course outline or syllabus) for the course(s) they teach and ensure that it meets college and department standards
Plan lessons and assignments
Teach courses in their subject area
Assess students’ progress by grading assignments, papers, exams, and other work
Advise students about which courses to take and how to achieve their goals
Work with colleagues to develop or modify the curriculum for a degree or certificate program involving in-person, online, or hybrid delivery of course material
Stay informed about changes and innovations in their field
Serve on academic or administrative committees, as needed

Postsecondary teachers, often referred to as professors or faculty, specialize in a variety of subjects and fields. At colleges and universities, professors are organized into departments by degree field, such as history, science, or business. A professor may teach one or more courses within that department. For example, a mathematics professor may teach calculus, statistics, and a graduate seminar on a topic related to polynomials.

Postsecondary teachers’ duties vary, often based on the size of their employing institution. In large colleges or universities, they may teach courses, conduct research or experiments, publish original research, apply for grants to fund their research, or supervise graduate teaching assistants. In small colleges and universities or in community colleges, they may spend most of their time teaching courses and working with students.

Full-time professors, particularly those who have tenure (that is, they cannot be fired without just cause), often are expected to devote a great deal of time on original research. Tenured professors must document their analyses or critical reviews and publish their research findings. They also may be expected to serve on college and university committees.

Part-time professors, often known as adjunct professors, usually spend most of their time teaching students.

Professors may teach large classes of several hundred students (often with the help of graduate teaching assistants), smaller classes of about 40 to 50 students, seminars with a few students, or laboratories in which students practice the subject matter. Some teach online, either exclusively or in addition to providing live instruction.

Professors’ tasks also may include collaborating with their colleagues and attending conferences to keep up with developments in their field.

Information about postsecondary teachers who provide vocational training in subjects such as repair, transportation, and cosmetology is available in the profile on career and technical education teachers.

Work Environment About this section

Most classes are held during the day, but some are held on nights and weekends.

Postsecondary teachers held about 1.3 million jobs in 2021. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up postsecondary teachers was distributed as follows:

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	246,700
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary	121,800
Business teachers, postsecondary	103,400
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary	87,000
Education teachers, postsecondary	76,700
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary	72,400
Biological science teachers, postsecondary	60,200
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary	53,800
Computer science teachers, postsecondary	47,800
Psychology teachers, postsecondary	46,400
Engineering teachers, postsecondary	45,800
Communications teachers, postsecondary	34,400
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary	28,200
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary	25,800
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary	25,000
History teachers, postsecondary	23,700
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other	19,400
Law teachers, postsecondary	19,100
Political science teachers, postsecondary	18,200
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary	17,100
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary	16,500
Social work teachers, postsecondary	16,100
Physics teachers, postsecondary	16,000
Sociology teachers, postsecondary	16,000
Economics teachers, postsecondary	15,300
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary	12,700
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary	11,700
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary	10,900
Architecture teachers, postsecondary	7,800
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary	7,100
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary	6,400
Library science teachers, postsecondary	5,500
Geography teachers, postsecondary	4,300
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary	3,400
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary	1,500

The largest employers of postsecondary teachers were as follows:

Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private	39%
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state	39
Junior colleges; local	10
Junior colleges; state	6

Postsecondary teachers often find it rewarding to share their expertise with students and colleagues. However, it may be stressful, especially for beginning teachers seeking advancement, to balance teaching duties with an emphasis on research and publication. At the community college level, professors are more likely to focus on teaching students.

Work Schedules

Most postsecondary teachers work full time, although part-time work is common. Postsecondary teachers who work part time may offer instruction at several colleges or universities. Some have a full-time job in their field of expertise in addition to a part-time teaching position. For example, an active lawyer or judge might teach an evening course at a law school.

College and university courses are generally during the day, although some are offered in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate students who have jobs or other obligations.

Academic calendars typically include breaks, such as between terms. The availability and type of course offerings during the summer vary by institution. Although some postsecondary teachers provide instruction in summer courses, others use the time to conduct research or engage in professional development.

Postsecondary teachers’ schedules generally are flexible. Full-time teachers typically need to be on campus to teach classes and have office hours but otherwise are free to set their own schedules.

How to Become a Postsecondary Teacher About this section

Institutions may prefer to hire those with teaching or other work experience.

Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Other postsecondary teachers may need work experience in their field of expertise.

Education

Postsecondary teachers who work for 4-year colleges and universities typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate in their field of degree. For some specialties or for part-time positions, schools may hire those with a master’s degree or who are doctoral degree candidates.

Doctoral programs usually take several years to complete, and students typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to enroll. Most Ph.D. programs require students to write a doctoral dissertation, a paper presenting original research in their field of study, which they then defend in questioning from experts. Candidates usually specialize in a subfield, such as organic chemistry or European history.

Community colleges may hire those with a master’s degree. However, some institutions prefer that applicants have a Ph.D.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Institutions may prefer to hire those with teaching or other work experience.

In some fields, such as health specialties, art, law, and education, hands-on work experience is especially important. Postsecondary teachers in these fields often gain experience by working in an occupation related to their field of study.

In other fields, such as biological science, physics, and chemistry, some postsecondary teachers have postdoctoral research experience. Sometimes called a “post-doc,” this experience takes the form of a job that usually involves working for 2 to 3 years as a research associate or in a similar position, often at a college or university.

Some postsecondary teachers gain teaching experience by working as graduate teaching assistants—students who are enrolled in a graduate program and teach classes at the institution in which they are enrolled.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Postsecondary teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a license, certification, or registration, may need to have—or may benefit from having—the same credential. For example, a postsecondary nursing teacher might need a nursing license or a postsecondary education teacher might need a teaching license.

Advancement

Postsecondary teachers with a doctoral degree often seek tenure—a guarantee that a professor cannot be fired without just cause. Attaining tenure may take up to 7 years of progressing through the positions by rank: assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. The decision to grant tenure is based on a candidate’s research, contribution to the institution, and teaching.

Some professors advance to high-level administrative positions, such as dean or president. For information on deans and other administrative positions, see the profile on postsecondary education administrators. For more information about college and university presidents, see the profile on top executives.

Important Qualities

Critical-thinking skills. To conduct original research and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need to analyze information logically.

Interpersonal skills. Postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees.

Resourcefulness. Postsecondary teachers must be able to present information in a way that students will understand. They need to adapt to the different learning styles of their students and be able to use technology for lessons or assignments.

Speaking skills. Postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students.

Writing skills. Postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis.

Pay About this section

Postsecondary Teachers

Median annual wages, May 2021

Postsecondary teachers: $79,640
Educational instruction and library occupations: $57,220
Total, all occupations: $45,760

The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $79,640 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,690, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $172,130.

Median annual wages for postsecondary teachers in May 2021 were as follows:

Law teachers, postsecondary	$123,470
Engineering teachers, postsecondary	104,940
Economics teachers, postsecondary	104,940
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	102,720
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary	98,070
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary	97,340
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary	95,910
Architecture teachers, postsecondary	95,160
Business teachers, postsecondary	94,360
Physics teachers, postsecondary	93,070
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary	82,330
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary	81,980
Political science teachers, postsecondary	81,980
Biological science teachers, postsecondary	81,440
Geography teachers, postsecondary	81,440
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary	79,630
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary	79,410
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary	78,910
History teachers, postsecondary	78,130
Sociology teachers, postsecondary	77,980
Computer science teachers, postsecondary	77,910
Psychology teachers, postsecondary	77,860
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary	77,610
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary	77,580
Communications teachers, postsecondary	77,560
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other	77,500
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary	77,440
Library science teachers, postsecondary	77,100
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary	77,030
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary	75,940
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary	75,930
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary	72,440
Social work teachers, postsecondary	71,010
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary	64,600
Education teachers, postsecondary	63,910

In May 2021, the median annual wages for postsecondary teachers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state	$81,250
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private	79,820
Junior colleges; local	79,810
Junior colleges; state	63,590

Wages vary by institution type. Postsecondary teachers typically have higher wages in colleges, universities, and professional schools than they do in community colleges or other types of schools.

College and university courses are generally during the day, although some are offered in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate students who have jobs or other obligations.

Postsecondary teachers’ schedules generally are flexible. Full-time teachers typically need to be on campus to teach classes and have office hours but otherwise are free to set their own schedules.

Job Outlook About this section

Postsecondary Teachers

Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31

Postsecondary teachers: 12%
Educational instruction and library occupations: 7%
Total, all occupations: 5%

Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 132,600 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Projected employment of postsecondary teachers varies by occupation (see table). Both part-time and full-time postsecondary teachers are included in these projections.

The number of people attending postsecondary institutions is expected to grow over the projections decade. Students will continue to seek higher education to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary teachers will be needed to serve these additional students. Colleges and universities are likely to hire more part-time teachers to meet this demand. In all disciplines, there is expected to be a limited number of full-time nontenure and full-time tenure positions.

A growing number of older people, who are more likely than young people to need medical care, will create increased demand for healthcare. More postsecondary teachers are expected to be needed to help educate workers who provide healthcare services.

However, despite expected increases in enrollment, employment growth in public colleges and universities will depend on state and local government budgets. If budgets for higher education are reduced, employment growth may be limited.

Employment projections data for postsecondary teachers, 2021-31
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2021	Projected Employment, 2031	Change, 2021-31		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2021	Projected Employment, 2031	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Postsecondary teachers	—	1,324,000	1,483,400	12	159,400	—
Business teachers, postsecondary	25-1011	103,400	109,800	6	6,400	Get data
Computer science teachers, postsecondary	25-1021	47,800	51,200	7	3,400	Get data
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary	25-1022	53,800	57,100	6	3,200	Get data
Architecture teachers, postsecondary	25-1031	7,800	8,400	8	600	Get data
Engineering teachers, postsecondary	25-1032	45,800	51,800	13	6,100	Get data
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary	25-1041	10,900	11,700	7	800	Get data
Biological science teachers, postsecondary	25-1042	60,200	67,700	12	7,500	Get data
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary	25-1043	1,500	1,600	8	100	Get data
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary	25-1051	12,700	13,700	7	900	Get data
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary	25-1052	25,800	27,800	8	2,000	Get data
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary	25-1053	7,100	7,600	8	500	Get data
Physics teachers, postsecondary	25-1054	16,000	17,300	8	1,300	Get data
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary	25-1061	6,400	6,900	8	500	Get data
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary	25-1062	11,700	12,700	9	1,000	Get data
Economics teachers, postsecondary	25-1063	15,300	16,600	8	1,300	Get data
Geography teachers, postsecondary	25-1064	4,300	4,700	8	300	Get data
Political science teachers, postsecondary	25-1065	18,200	19,700	8	1,500	Get data
Psychology teachers, postsecondary	25-1066	46,400	50,800	10	4,500	Get data
Sociology teachers, postsecondary	25-1067	16,000	17,200	8	1,200	Get data
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other	25-1069	19,400	20,500	6	1,100	Get data
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	25-1071	246,700	306,100	24	59,400	Get data
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary	25-1072	87,000	105,700	22	18,700	Get data
Education teachers, postsecondary	25-1081	76,700	83,200	8	6,500	Get data
Library science teachers, postsecondary	25-1082	5,500	5,900	8	400	Get data
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary	25-1111	16,500	18,200	10	1,600	Get data
Law teachers, postsecondary	25-1112	19,100	20,800	9	1,700	Get data
Social work teachers, postsecondary	25-1113	16,100	17,500	9	1,400	Get data
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary	25-1121	121,800	132,500	9	10,700	Get data
Communications teachers, postsecondary	25-1122	34,400	36,900	7	2,500	Get data
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary	25-1123	72,400	76,900	6	4,600	Get data
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary	25-1124	25,000	27,000	8	2,000	Get data
History teachers, postsecondary	25-1125	23,700	25,400	7	1,700	Get data
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary	25-1126	28,200	30,600	9	2,400	Get data
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary	25-1192	3,400	3,600	7	200	Get data
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary	25-1193	17,100	18,400	7	1,200	Get data