STEM Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Mathematical Science Teachers

Mathematical Science Teachers earn $79,940 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $61,690 and $105,000. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Mathematical Science Teachers

This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a mathematical science teachers: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Management Sciences and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.


Median Wage
$79,940
Employed Nationally
48K
Openings / Year
3,900
Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Also known as:

Actuarial Science Professor Actuarial Science Teacher Adjunct Instructor Adjunct Mathematics Instructor Adjunct Professor

How Much Do Mathematical Science Teachers Make?

Most mathematical science teachers take home around $79,940 a year, above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $61,690 and $105,000, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. A solid living in most parts of the country. Source: BLS.

A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.

$79,940
National Median (Annual)

Above the national median for college graduates.

$62K–$105K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

The mean wage for this occupation is $91,550, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.

What Do Mathematical Science Teachers Do?

This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.

What You'll Do

  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Mathematics Speaking Active Listening Instructing Reading Comprehension

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 Mathematical 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
Low

Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.

What Is the Job Outlook for Mathematical Science Teachers?

Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +1.7%, meaning it is growing slowly, a little behind the average job. Around 3,900 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.

Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.

↗ +1.7%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)

Slower than average.

3,900
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

48K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Mathematical Science Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $79,940 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 4,870 $76,990 -3.7%
2 New York 4,080 $87,230 +9.1%
3 California 3,810 $130,680 +63.5%
4 Florida 2,660 $60,700 -24.1%
5 Illinois 2,390 $77,080 -3.6%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

To get hired here you will usually need a doctoral or professional degree. The 10 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.

The next most common path is a Teaching Specific Subjects program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.

Doctoral or professional degree
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 Management Sciences 56,747 $86,176 593
2 Teaching Specific Subjects 40,101 $51,389 1,276
3 Mathematics 27,179 $69,562 1,491
4 Applied Mathematics 11,635 $91,532 417
5 Statistics 9,944 $92,425 281
6 Philosophy 9,331 $54,455 916
7 Biomathematics 3,505 $86,713 216
8 Mathematics and Computer Science 1,489 $118,943 98
9 Mathematics and Statistics 671 $88,839 49
10 Applied Statistics 541 — 31

Top Colleges for Aspiring Mathematical 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 Mathematical 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.

Mathematical Science Teachers Pros & Cons

The data on Mathematical Science Teachers shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Above-average pay At $79,940 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
  • High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $105,000 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
  • Slow job growth At +1.7% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
  • 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.

Mathematical Science Teachers Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Mathematical Science Teachers professionals earn?
Around $79,940 a year for the typical worker, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,690 and $105,000. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Mathematical Science Teachers a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $79,940 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. Research salary outcomes at specific programs, not just the national median, before committing to a graduate path.
How long does it take to work as Mathematical 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 Management Sciences are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $79,940 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Mathematical Science Teachers?
It depends heavily on program cost. At $79,940 median, expensive graduate school debt can take 20 or more years to recover. In-state public schools, employer-sponsored programs, or income-driven repayment make the strongest case. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Mathematical Science Teachers?
Employment is projected to change by +1.7% through 2035, slower than average compared with other occupations. Around 3,900 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 48K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
What skills do Mathematical Science Teachers professionals need?
Mainly Mathematics, Speaking, Active Listening, Instructing, and Reading Comprehension. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.

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