Postsecondary Teachers

How to become a Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher

Official title: Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Also called: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Biochemistry Professor, Chemistry Faculty Member, Chemistry Instructor, Chemistry Professor, Instructor, Lecturer, Organic Chemistry Professor, Professor

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Main tasks

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical separation.
Establish, teach, and monitor students' compliance with safety rules for handling chemicals, equipment, and other hazardous materials.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory performance, assignments, and papers.
Supervise students' laboratory work.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

How to become one

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

Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
College: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $93,250 a year The middle half earn $68,530 to $127,280.
About 24,900 people work in this job now, and about 25,400 are projected by 2035. (+2.3%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher?

How much does a Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $93,250 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $68,530 to $127,280.

Is a Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 2% by 2035, from about 24,900 to about 25,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher?

Usually. 94% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Postsecondary Chemistry Teacher?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.