Postsecondary Teachers

How to become a Postsecondary Computer Science Teacher

Official title: Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Also called: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor), Computer Science Instructor, Computer Science Professor, Faculty Member, Information Technology Instructor (IT Instructor), Instructor, Lecturer, Professor

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Main tasks

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
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.
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.

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: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US
College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $96,980 a year The middle half earn $66,600 to $131,320.
About 43,900 people work in this job now, and about 46,100 are projected by 2035. (+4.9%)
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 Computer Science Teacher?

How much does a Postsecondary Computer Science Teacher earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $96,980 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $66,600 to $131,320.

Is a Postsecondary Computer Science Teacher a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 43,900 to about 46,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Postsecondary Computer Science Teacher?

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

Will AI change the work of a Postsecondary Computer Science 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.