Postsecondary Teachers

How to become a Postsecondary Engineering Teacher

Official title: Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Also called: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering Professor, Electrical Engineering Professor, Engineering Instructor, Engineering Professor, Environmental Engineering Professor, Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Professor, Professor

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Main tasks

Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as mechanics, hydraulics, and robotics.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate class discussions.

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: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $109,270 a year The middle half earn $81,570 to $150,860.
About 50,900 people work in this job now, and about 54,900 are projected by 2035. (+7.8%)
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 Engineering Teacher?

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

Median full-time pay is $109,270 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $81,570 to $150,860.

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

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 50,900 to about 54,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

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

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

Will AI change the work of a Postsecondary Engineering 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.