Engineering Teachers
O*NET title: Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
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.
Also called: Adjunct Engineering Instructor, Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Aeronautical Engineering Professor, Aeronautical Engineering Teacher, Aeronautics Teacher
Median pay
$109,270
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$61,550 – $210,370
People employed
40,270
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.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Engineering Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (47 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What engineering teachers do
- 01Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- 02Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 03Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- 04Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- 05Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- 06Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- English Language
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: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
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 engineering teachers
- Materials Scientists78% · +8%
- Astronomers75% · +18%
- Physicists72% · +58%
- Architectural and Engineering Managers72% · +57%
- Mathematicians70% · +16%
Change into engineering teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Astronomers75% · $128,820
- Mathematicians68% · $126,710
- Biochemists and Biophysicists67% · $127,410
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists67% · $103,410
- Orthotists and Prosthetists61% · $81,110
Majors that lead here
- Engineering, General
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
- Astronautical Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, Other
- Agricultural Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemical Engineering, Other
- Civil Engineering, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.