25 Series · SOC 25-1053

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$94,980
Median / year
$164,190
Top 10% earn
+2.9%
Growth '23–'33
6,690
US workers

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $94,980 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $94,980, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $57,780 (10th percentile) to $164,190 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 6,690 US workers. Kentucky pays the most ($139,110), since pay varies by state and metro area.

25 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $94,980, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 80% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Educational Instruction and Library, it ranks #15 of 64 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 2.9% by 2033.

$94,980
Median annual wage
Top 20%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#15 of 64
in Educational Instruction and Library
2.8×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Kentucky at $139,110. Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1053) pays a national median of $94,980 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $57,780 at the 10th percentile to $164,190 at the 90th, with a mean of $103,610 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 6,690 Americans work in this occupation across 38 reporting states and 29 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +2.9% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 700 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Doctoral or professional degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.3 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.8 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Kentucky pays the highest state median at $139,110, which is +46% above the national figure. The top metro is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $130,260 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 6,690 jobs Median $94,980/yr

Median Salary

$94,980

per year

Median Hourly

N/A

per hour

Mean Salary

$103,610

average

Employment

6,690

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$94,980 Top 20% higher than 80% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 25-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 25-series occupations with growth data, Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary sits on the slower-growing side at +2.9% growth and $94,980 median pay.

Among 25 25-series occupations with growth data, Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary sits on the slower-growing side at +2.9% growth and $94,980 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $20000$40000$60000$80000$100000$120000 -5%0%5%10%15%20% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 25-series occupations with growth data, Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary sits on the slower-growing side at +2.9% growth and $94,980 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+2.9%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

700

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Doctoral or professional degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

0.3/100K

Injury Rate

0.8/100

Danger Index

3.4/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.1
Speaking 4.1
Active Listening 4.0
Writing 4.0
Science 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Learning Strategies 4.0
Instructing 4.0
Active Learning 3.9
Monitoring 3.9

Knowledge Areas

Education and Training 4.4
English Language 4.4
Biology 4.3
Chemistry 4.0
Mathematics 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.8
Geography 3.6
Engineering and Technology 3.3
Administration and Management 3.1
Physics 3.1

Key Tasks

  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Supervise students' laboratory and field work.
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  • 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.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$57,780$69,880$94,980$126,900$164,190
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

10th Percentile

$57,780

25th Percentile

$69,880

Median

$94,980

75th Percentile

$126,900

90th Percentile

$164,190

Salary by State

View all 38 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Kentucky $139,110 +46% above national
2 Maryland $131,060 +38% above national
3 Oklahoma $113,680 +20% above national
4 Michigan $112,730 +19% above national
5 New Mexico $111,270 +17% above national
6 California $108,290 +14% above national
7 Massachusetts $106,110 +12% above national
8 Virginia $104,730 +10% above national
9 Illinois $104,440 +10% above national
10 Utah $103,510 +9% above national
11 New Hampshire $102,650 +8% above national
12 New York $102,640 +8% above national
13 Vermont $102,580 +8% above national
14 Washington $101,430 +7% above national
15 South Carolina $99,540 +5% above national
16 District of Columbia $99,300 +5% above national
17 Tennessee $98,560 +4% above national
18 Montana $97,890 +3% above national
19 Nevada $94,820 same as national
20 Minnesota $93,640 1% below national
21 Maine $92,120 3% below national
22 Pennsylvania $91,640 4% below national
23 Oregon $90,270 5% below national
24 Georgia $84,290 11% below national
25 Missouri $83,210 12% below national
26 Ohio $82,920 13% below national
27 New Jersey $82,890 13% below national
28 North Carolina $82,360 13% below national
29 Arizona $81,730 14% below national
30 Iowa $79,570 16% below national
31 Texas $79,160 17% below national
32 Wisconsin $79,120 17% below national
33 Colorado $78,800 17% below national
34 Indiana $78,400 17% below national
35 Florida $77,830 18% below national
36 Mississippi $76,210 20% below national
37 Alabama $64,700 32% below national
38 Arkansas $59,910 37% below national

Salary by Metro Area

View all 29 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $130,260 +37% above national
2 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $127,100 +34% above national
3 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $110,540 +16% above national
4 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $110,510 +16% above national
5 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $107,010 +13% above national
6 Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $106,110 +12% above national
7 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $105,000 +11% above national
8 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $104,810 +10% above national
9 Madison, WI $104,730 +10% above national
10 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $104,160 +10% above national
11 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $103,460 +9% above national
12 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $102,130 +8% above national
13 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $101,840 +7% above national
14 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $101,010 +6% above national
15 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $97,380 +3% above national
16 Pittsburgh, PA $96,840 +2% above national
17 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $95,360 same as national
18 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $90,030 5% below national
19 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $85,990 9% below national
20 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $85,740 10% below national
21 Syracuse, NY $85,280 10% below national
22 Burlington-South Burlington, VT $83,020 13% below national
23 Columbus, OH $82,560 13% below national
24 Cleveland, OH $81,800 14% below national
25 Worcester, MA $81,040 15% below national
26 Trenton-Princeton, NJ $80,730 15% below national
27 Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $80,680 15% below national
28 Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $78,130 18% below national
29 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $77,190 19% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 25 (education) with comparable pay and career paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
The median annual salary for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary is $94,980 ($N/A/hour). The salary range spans from $57,780 at the 10th percentile to $164,190 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
Kentucky pays the highest median salary for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary at $139,110/year, which is +46% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
The typical entry-level education for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary is Doctoral or professional degree.
How dangerous is being a Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.3 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.8 per 100 workers.
Is Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary a good career?
Employment for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 700 openings are projected each year.
How does Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay vary by state?
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Kentucky at $139,110/year, while Indiana pays the least at $78,400/year. BLS data covers 38 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
The highest-paying metro area for Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $130,260/year. BLS reports wage data for 29 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $126,900/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Kentucky leads at $139,110/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.