Environmental Science Teachers
O*NET title: Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Also called: Environmental Sciences Professors
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, College Faculty Member, College Professor, Conservation Educator
Median pay
$94,980
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$57,780 – $164,190
People employed
6,690
Holland code
ISR
Investigative · Social · 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 variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Environmental Science Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (37 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What environmental science teachers do
- 01Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- 02Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 03Supervise students' laboratory and field work.
- 04Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- 05Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 06Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
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: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- 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 environmental science teachers
- Biologists77% · group pay
- Geneticists76% · group pay
- Epidemiologists75% · −8%
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists74% · +9%
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health73% · −13%
Change into environmental science teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Biologists77% · $98,920
- Geneticists76% · $98,920
- Epidemiologists75% · $87,220
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists74% · $103,410
- Preventive Medicine Physicians74% · $265,930
Majors that lead here
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Science
- Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
- Sustainability Studies
- Environmental Geosciences
- Geobiology
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Environmental Chemistry
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.