Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Also called: Ethnic Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Adjunct Professor, African Studies Professor, American Studies Professor, Asian Studies Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
Median pay
$85,020
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$52,070 – $160,420
People employed
11,300
Holland code
SIA
Social · Investigative · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (36 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary salary in every state →
What area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary do
- 01Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- 02Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- 03Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- 04Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 05Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- 06Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- History and Archeology
- Foreign Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
- Sociologists79% · +25%
- Instructional Coordinators79% · −9%
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education78% · −15%
- Political Scientists74% · +67%
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School74% · −13%
Change into area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Anthropologists and Archeologists85% · $70,770
- Sociologists80% · $106,030
- Instructional Coordinators79% · $77,440
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education76% · $72,040
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors74% · $61,540
Majors that lead here
- African Studies
- American/United States Studies/Civilization
- Asian Studies/Civilization
- East Asian Studies
- Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies
- European Studies/Civilization
- Latin American Studies
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Pacific Area/Pacific Rim Studies
- Russian Studies
- Scandinavian Studies
- South Asian Studies
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.