Law Teachers, Postsecondary: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Law Teachers, Postsecondary fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Law Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median salary of $128,500 per year, ranking in the top 8% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.6% job growth through 2035, projected to grow slower than 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 law teachers, postsecondary earn?

The median annual wage for law teachers, postsecondary is $128,500. That puts law teachers, postsecondary at #65 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. 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.

Is law teachers, postsecondary a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for law teachers, postsecondary is +2.6%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 25K positions in 2024 to 26K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What education does my child need to become law teachers, postsecondary?

The standard path into law 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.

How to become law teachers, postsecondary: step by step

The typical education and licensing pathway from high school into this profession. Total time to entry is about 11-17 years to tenure-track position (varies greatly by field). Steps marked optional are common for advancement but not required to start.

1. 1

   Bachelor's Degree in Subject Area

   ~4 years

   Complete a bachelor's degree in your intended teaching field. Strong GPA and research experience are crucial for PhD admission. Build relationships with professors for mentorship and recommendation letters.

   • •Major in the subject you want to teach (Biology, English, History, etc.)
   • •Strong undergraduate GPA (3.5+ for competitive PhD programs)
   • •Research experience (work with professors on projects)
   • •Strong relationships with faculty (for recommendation letters)
   • •Consider graduate-level courses in senior year
2. 2

   Master's Degree in Subject Area

   Optional~2 years

   Some students complete Master's before PhD, others enter PhD directly from bachelor's. Master's can be good exploration before PhD commitment. Community college teaching may only require Master's degree without PhD.

   • •Advanced coursework in specialization
   • •Master's thesis or research project
   • •Teaching assistantships (if available)
   • •May skip directly to PhD at some programs
3. 3

   Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Subject Area

   ~5 years

   Complete a PhD (or terminal degree for your field: MFA for arts, JD for law, MD for medicine). Takes 4-7 years on average. PhD students typically funded through teaching/research assistantships. Publishing and teaching experience during PhD are critical for faculty job market.

   • •Advanced coursework and seminars
   • •Comprehensive/qualifying exams
   • •Original dissertation research
   • •Teaching assistantships or instructor of record
   • •Publish research papers in peer-reviewed journals
   • •Present at academic conferences
   • •Pass dissertation defense
4. 4

   Postdoctoral Research (Optional but Common)

   Optional~2 years

   Many fields now expect 1-3 years of postdoctoral research before tenure-track faculty positions, especially in STEM. Humanities and social sciences vary. Postdocs strengthen research record and provide time to publish dissertation as book/articles.

   • •Conduct advanced research at university or research institution
   • •Publish additional papers
   • •Build research network and collaborations
   • •Gain teaching experience if PhD lacked it
   • •Apply for faculty positions
5. 5

   Faculty Position

   ~6 years

   Secure faculty position (highly competitive). Tenure-track positions require teaching, research, and service. Achieve tenure after ~6 years as Assistant Professor. Community colleges emphasize teaching over research and may hire with Master's degree.

   • •Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Lecturer (non-tenure)
   • •Teaching 2-4 courses per semester
   • •Continue research and publishing
   • •Service to department and university
   • •Work toward tenure (typically 6 years as Assistant Professor)
   • •Promotion to Associate Professor (with tenure), then Full Professor

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Common questions parents ask about law teachers, postsecondary