Agricultural Technicians
Median wage · national
$49,630
Range: $41K – $64K
Employed
15K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: associate's degree
HEALTH
Biological Science Teachers
Biological Science Teachers earn $84,620 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $64,350 and $126,770. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Biological Science Teachers
Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Median Wage
- $84,620
- Employed Nationally
- 50K
- Openings / Year
- 5,400
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Adjunct Biology Instructor
Adjunct Instructor
Algology Teacher
Anatomy Instructor
Anatomy Professor
How Much Do Biological Science Teachers Make?
Biological Science Teachers earn $84,620 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,350 and $126,770. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$84,620
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$64K–$127K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$64,350
Entry-level
$84,620
Median
$126,770
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $102,840, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Biological Science Teachers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Biological Science Teachers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Learning Strategies
Instructing
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Where Do Biological Science Teachers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Biological Science Teachers?
The BLS projects +7.3% employment change for Biological Science Teachers through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 5,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +7.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
5,400
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
50K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Biological Science Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $84,620 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 4,240 | $83,760 | -1.0% |
| 2 | New York | 3,900 | $100,110 | +18.3% |
| 3 | California | 3,670 | $125,670 | +48.5% |
| 4 | Florida | 3,090 | $83,740 | -1.0% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 2,570 | $81,760 | -3.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Biological Science Teachers positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The 10 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 103,883 | $57,214 | 1,774 |
| 2 | Teaching Specific Subjects | 40,101 | $51,389 | 1,276 |
| 3 | Biochemistry & Biophysics | 14,354 | $65,466 | 763 |
| 4 | Neurobiology | 12,903 | $62,451 | 368 |
| 5 | Physiology | 10,453 | $62,172 | 265 |
| 6 | Ecology | 9,123 | $48,842 | 352 |
| 7 | Cell Biology | 6,274 | $66,697 | 196 |
| 8 | Nutrition Sciences | 5,514 | $60,053 | 169 |
| 9 | Microbiology | 4,815 | $62,582 | 201 |
| 10 | Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 4,637 | $65,681 | 169 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Biological Science Teachers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Biological Science Teachers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Biological Science Teachers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Biological Science Teachers Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Biological Science Teachers a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $84,620 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +7.3% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $126,770 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $64,350 is considerably below the $84,620 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Biological Science Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Biological Science Teachers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Biological Science Teachers is $84,620, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,350 and $126,770. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Biological Science Teachers a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $84,620 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +7.3% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Biological Science Teachers?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Biology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $84,620 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Biological Science Teachers?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $84,620 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Biological Science Teachers?
The BLS projects +7.3% employment change for Biological Science Teachers through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 5,400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 50K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Biological Science Teachers salaries vary so widely?
The $62,420 gap between the 25th ($64,350) and 75th ($126,770) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Biological Science Teachers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Biological Science Teachers roles: Speaking, Learning Strategies, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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-
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