Database Architect
Median wage · national
$104,620
Range: $80K – $135K
Employed
70K
Openings/yr
4K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Computer Science Teachers
Computer Science Teachers earn $96,980 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $66,600 and $131,320. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Computer Science Teachers
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Median Wage
- $96,980
- Employed Nationally
- 35K
- Openings / Year
- 3,500
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Adjunct Instructor
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
C++ Professor
College Faculty Member
How Much Do Computer Science Teachers Make?
Computer Science Teachers earn $96,980 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,600 and $131,320. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$96,980
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$67K–$131K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$66,600
Entry-level
$96,980
Median
$131,320
Experienced
What Do Computer Science Teachers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Computer 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
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Instructing
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Speaking
Active Learning
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.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Computer 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 Computer Science Teachers?
The BLS projects +5.3% employment change for Computer Science Teachers through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 3,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +5.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
3,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
35K
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 Computer Science Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $96,980 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 3,610 | $98,280 | +1.3% |
| 2 | New York | 3,360 | $99,330 | +2.4% |
| 3 | California | 2,660 | $137,450 | +41.7% |
| 4 | Virginia | 1,970 | $124,850 | +28.7% |
| 5 | Florida | 1,950 | $80,390 | -17.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Computer 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 | Information Systems | 103,827 | $92,374 | 1,579 |
| 2 | Computer Science | 72,693 | $107,009 | 1,053 |
| 3 | Teaching Specific Subjects | 40,101 | $51,389 | 1,276 |
| 4 | Information Science | 20,202 | $85,294 | 473 |
| 5 | Computer Software & Media | 14,684 | $58,894 | 726 |
| 6 | Computer Systems Networking | 13,734 | $73,587 | 618 |
| 7 | Computer Programming | 12,983 | $83,439 | 628 |
| 8 | Management Information Systems | 11,695 | $83,290 | 561 |
| 9 | Computer Systems Analysis | 2,864 | $78,929 | 116 |
| 10 | Human Computer Interaction | 2,324 | $50,526 | 59 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Computer 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 Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Computer 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 Computer 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.
Computer Science Teachers Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Computer Science Teachers a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $96,980 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.3% 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 $131,320 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 $66,600 is considerably below the $96,980 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Computer Science Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Computer Science Teachers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Computer Science Teachers is $96,980, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,600 and $131,320. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Computer Science Teachers a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $96,980 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 +5.3% 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 Computer 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 Information Systems are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $96,980 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Computer Science Teachers?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $96,980 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 Computer Science Teachers?
The BLS projects +5.3% employment change for Computer Science Teachers through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 3,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 35K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Computer Science Teachers salaries vary so widely?
The $64,720 gap between the 25th ($66,600) and 75th ($131,320) 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 Computer Science Teachers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Computer Science Teachers roles: Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking, and Active Learning. 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.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.