Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC Code: 25-1053.00
Education & LibraryEnvironmental science teachers at the postsecondary level shape the next generation of environmental professionals by teaching courses in ecology, conservation, pollution science, and sustainability at colleges and universities. With a median salary of $87,710, these educators combine classroom instruction with original research, mentoring, and service to their academic institutions. The role appeals to individuals who are passionate about both environmental science and the transformative power of education.
Salary Overview
Median
$87,710
25th Percentile
$64,360
75th Percentile
$124,680
90th Percentile
$164,290
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+2.9%
New Openings
700
Outlook
Slower than average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Related Work Experience
Related Careers
Featured In
Top Career Pivot Targets
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A Day in the Life
A typical day for a postsecondary environmental science teacher is structured around the interplay of teaching, research, and service responsibilities. Morning hours might be spent in a lecture hall, leading an undergraduate course on environmental biology or an advanced seminar on climate science, using multimedia presentations, case studies, and interactive discussions to engage students. Between classes, professors hold office hours to advise students on coursework, research projects, career planning, and graduate school applications. Research occupies a substantial portion of the day, whether in the laboratory analyzing environmental samples, in the field collecting ecological data, or at the computer writing manuscripts and analyzing datasets for publication. Faculty meetings, committee work, and curriculum development activities demand regular attention, as professors contribute to departmental governance and program design. Grant writing is a critical recurring task, as research funding from agencies like the NSF, EPA, or USDA supports laboratory equipment, graduate students, and fieldwork. The day may include reviewing peer submissions for academic journals, attending research seminars, or supervising graduate student thesis work. Evening hours are sometimes spent grading assignments, preparing lectures for upcoming classes, or corresponding with professional colleagues about collaborative research opportunities.
Work Environment
Postsecondary environmental science teachers work primarily on college and university campuses in classrooms, laboratories, offices, and field research sites. The academic environment is intellectually vibrant, with access to research facilities, libraries, computing resources, and a community of scholars across disciplines. Teaching schedules vary by institution but typically involve two to four courses per semester at research universities, with higher teaching loads at community colleges and teaching-focused institutions. The flexibility to set research schedules and manage independent projects is a significant benefit of academic positions, though this freedom comes with the expectation of self-directed productivity. Field research may take faculty to diverse locations ranging from local watersheds to international research stations, providing travel opportunities but also time away from campus. The culture is collegial but competitive, particularly at research-intensive institutions where publication output, grant funding, and impact metrics influence tenure decisions and professional standing. Academic calendars provide summer months and semester breaks for intensive research, writing, and professional development, though these periods are rarely fully free from work obligations.
Career Path & Advancement
Becoming a postsecondary environmental science teacher almost always requires a doctoral degree in environmental science, ecology, atmospheric science, geology, or a related field, with completion of a dissertation demonstrating independent research capability. The doctoral journey typically takes five to seven years and includes coursework, comprehensive exams, teaching assistantships, and original research. Many new Ph.D.s complete one or two years of postdoctoral research to strengthen their publication records and gain additional teaching experience before entering the job market. Entry-level tenure-track positions are assistant professor appointments, which carry expectations for research productivity, effective teaching, and institutional service over a probationary period of typically six years. Successful candidates earn tenure and promotion to associate professor, followed by potential advancement to full professor based on sustained scholarship and leadership contributions. Alternative academic career paths include lecturer, clinical professor, and research professor positions, which emphasize teaching or research over the full tenure portfolio. Some faculty transition to administrative roles such as department chair, dean, or provost, while others move into government research, consulting, or nonprofit leadership positions later in their careers.
Specializations
Postsecondary environmental science teaching encompasses many sub-disciplines, each with its own research traditions and course offerings. Ecology and conservation biology faculty teach courses on population dynamics, community ecology, biodiversity, and wildlife management, often conducting field research in natural ecosystems. Atmospheric and climate science professors focus on meteorology, climate modeling, and greenhouse gas dynamics, training students to understand and address climate change. Environmental chemistry faculty cover water chemistry, soil chemistry, toxicology, and pollutant fate and transport, with laboratory-intensive courses. Environmental policy and governance professors teach environmental law, regulatory science, sustainability policy, and environmental justice, blending social and natural sciences. Hydrology and water resources faculty study surface water, groundwater systems, watershed management, and water quality, often involving field and computational research. Geospatial science faculty teach remote sensing, GIS applications, and spatial analysis for environmental monitoring and land use planning. Sustainability science professors take an interdisciplinary approach, integrating ecology, economics, social science, and engineering perspectives to address complex environmental challenges.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓The median salary of $87,710 provides comfortable compensation, with significant increases possible through promotions and summer research funding.
- ✓Academic freedom to pursue research questions that match personal interests and passions is a defining benefit of the profession.
- ✓Shaping the next generation of environmental professionals through teaching and mentoring offers profound personal and professional satisfaction.
- ✓Flexible scheduling and control over daily work routines is greater than in most other careers, especially for tenured faculty.
- ✓Access to university resources—laboratories, libraries, computing infrastructure, and intellectual community—supports continuous learning and discovery.
- ✓Sabbatical opportunities, conference travel, and international collaborations provide enriching professional experiences.
- ✓Job security after achieving tenure is exceptionally strong, offering long-term career stability.
Challenges
- ✗The path to a tenure-track position requires a Ph.D. and often postdoctoral research, representing a decade or more of training with modest compensation.
- ✗The tenure process creates significant stress and uncertainty, with failure resulting in mandatory departure from the institution.
- ✗Grant writing is time-consuming and highly competitive, with many proposals rejected despite substantial effort.
- ✗Academic publishing pressure can be relentless, particularly at research-intensive universities where output metrics drive evaluation.
- ✗Geographic constraints of the academic job market may require relocation to areas far from family and personal preferences.
- ✗Administrative duties, committee service, and institutional bureaucracy consume time that many faculty would prefer to spend on research and teaching.
- ✗Adjunct and non-tenure-track positions are increasingly common, offering lower pay, fewer benefits, and minimal job security.
Industry Insight
Postsecondary environmental science education is undergoing transformation in response to changing student demographics, labor market demands, and scientific priorities. Enrollment in environmental science and sustainability programs has grown steadily as student interest in addressing climate change and environmental challenges intensifies. Interdisciplinary program design is increasingly common, with environmental science departments collaborating with engineering, public health, business, and data science programs to offer integrated curricula. Online and hybrid course delivery expanded dramatically during the pandemic and continues to grow, requiring faculty to develop digital pedagogy skills and create engaging virtual learning experiences. Experiential learning through undergraduate research, community-based projects, and industry partnerships is becoming central to program design, enhancing student preparation for careers beyond academia. Research funding agencies are increasingly prioritizing convergent research that spans traditional disciplinary boundaries, rewarding faculty who collaborate across departments and institutions. The emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education is reshaping hiring practices, mentoring approaches, and curriculum content in environmental science departments nationwide.
How to Break Into This Career
Aspiring environmental science professors should excel academically during their undergraduate and master's studies, building strong relationships with faculty mentors who can provide research opportunities and recommendation letters. Selecting a doctoral program with faculty whose research aligns with your interests and with strong records of student placement is perhaps the most important career decision. During graduate school, prioritize publishing research papers, presenting at national and international conferences, and gaining teaching experience through assistantships or independent course instruction. Postdoctoral appointments at research universities or national laboratories provide additional publications, expand professional networks, and demonstrate research independence to future hiring committees. Developing a clear, compelling research agenda and teaching philosophy statement is essential for job applications, which also require a strong CV, writing samples, and reference letters. Attending disciplinary conferences such as the Ecological Society of America meeting or the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting enables networking with potential collaborators and hiring departments. Being flexible about geographic location and institution type significantly increases the chances of landing a tenure-track position in a competitive market.
Career Pivot Tips
Postsecondary environmental science teachers develop a powerful combination of research expertise, communication skills, and subject-matter depth that opens diverse career transitions. Deep scientific knowledge and research management experience qualify professors for senior scientist, research director, and program officer positions at government agencies like the EPA, NOAA, or USGS. Strong writing and analytical skills transfer to science communication, journalism, and editorial positions at environmental media outlets, publishers, and science organizations. Teaching and mentoring experience is valued in corporate training, educational technology, and curriculum development roles at edtech companies and professional development organizations. Grant writing expertise translates to fundraising, development, and foundation program management in the nonprofit sector. Data analysis and statistical modeling skills support pivots into data science, environmental consulting, and market research positions. Professors with policy expertise can transition into government advisory roles, think tank research, and legislative staff positions focused on environmental legislation. Administrative experience from department committees and program leadership prepares faculty for management consulting, higher education administration, and nonprofit executive leadership.
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