Biological Science Teachers
O*NET title: Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Adjunct Biology Instructor, Adjunct Biology Professor, Adjunct Instructor, Algology Teacher, Anatomy Instructor, Anatomy Professor
Median pay
$84,620
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$52,150 – $169,900
People employed
50,190
Holland code
SIR
Social · Investigative · Realistic
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 a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 4.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Biological Science Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What biological science teachers do
- 01Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- 02Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
- 03Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- 04Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 05Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- 06Supervise students' laboratory work.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Science
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Biology
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- 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 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
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 biological science teachers
- Geneticists81% · group pay
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists80% · group pay
- Epidemiologists76% · +3%
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists76% · +22%
- Biologists75% · group pay
Change into biological science teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Geneticists81% · $98,920
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists77% · $98,920
- Epidemiologists76% · $87,220
- Biologists75% · $98,920
- Preventive Medicine Physicians75% · $265,930
Majors that lead here
- Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
- Biology Teacher Education
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biomedical Sciences, General
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Molecular Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Photobiology
- Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.