Postsecondary Teachers

How to become a Postsecondary Mathematical Science Teacher

Official title: Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Also called: Adjunct Mathematics Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Instructor, Math Teacher, Mathematical Sciences Professor, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Mathematics Lecturer, Mathematics Professor, Professor

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Main tasks

Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom 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: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $79,940 a year The middle half earn $61,690 to $105,000.
About 57,100 people work in this job now, and about 58,100 are projected by 2035. (+1.7%)
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 Mathematical Science Teacher?

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

Median full-time pay is $79,940 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $61,690 to $105,000.

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

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 57,100 people now and 58,100 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

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

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

Will AI change the work of a Postsecondary Mathematical 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.