Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Education, Training, and Library · SOC 25-1021 · O*NET 25-1021.00
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.
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median salary of $96,690 per year, ranking in the top 16% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do computer science teachers, postsecondary earn?
The median annual wage for computer science teachers, postsecondary is $96,690. That puts computer science teachers, postsecondary at #126 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $48,910 |
| 25th percentile | $65,200 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,690 |
| 75th percentile | $132,200 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,380 |
Is computer science teachers, postsecondary a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for computer science teachers, postsecondary is +5.3%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 44K positions in 2024 to 47K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What do computer science teachers, postsecondary do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working computer science teachers, postsecondary, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
- 2.Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- 3.Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- 4.Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- 5.Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
- 6.Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- 7.Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
- 8.Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top skills for computer science teachers, postsecondary
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become computer science teachers, postsecondary?
The standard path into computer science teachers, postsecondary begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary$126,650 median
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary$119,980 median
- Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$106,120 median
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$105,620 median
- Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary$101,480 median
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$101,390 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about computer science teachers, postsecondary
What is the median salary for computer science teachers, postsecondary?
The median annual salary for computer science teachers, postsecondary is $96,690 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is computer science teachers, postsecondary a growing career?
BLS projects +5.3% growth for computer science teachers, postsecondary from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become computer science teachers, postsecondary?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to computer science teachers, postsecondary?
Related occupations within the Education, Training, and Library category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.