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

Education, Training, and Library · SOC 25-1022 · O*NET 25-1022.00

Median salary
$79,350
Rank #197 of ~830 BLS occupations
10-year growth
+2.3%
2024–2034, flat
Employment
48.8M
BLS 2024
Projected 2034
60K
BLS projection
Official O*NET description

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.

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median salary of $79,350 per year, ranking in the top 24% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.3% job growth through 2034, 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 mathematical science teachers, postsecondary earn?

The median annual wage for mathematical science teachers, postsecondary is $79,350. That puts mathematical science teachers, postsecondary at #197 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.

Full salary distribution (national, BLS 2024)
10th percentile (entry-level)$48,150
25th percentile$60,880
50th percentile (median)$79,350
75th percentile$106,270
90th percentile (top earners)$161,020

Is mathematical science teachers, postsecondary a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for mathematical science teachers, postsecondary is +2.3%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 58K positions in 2024 to 60K in 2034, a net change of 2K. 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 do mathematical science teachers, postsecondary do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working mathematical science teachers, postsecondary, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

  1. 1.Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  2. 2.Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  3. 3.Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
  4. 4.Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.
  5. 5.Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  6. 6.Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
  7. 7.Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  8. 8.Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.

Top skills for mathematical 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.

Mathematics
4.3
Speaking
4.1
Active Listening
4.0
Instructing
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Critical Thinking
3.9
Writing
3.9

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

The standard path into mathematical 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.

Actual education levels of working mathematical science teachers, postsecondary

Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.

Master's degree
43.0%
Doctoral degree
36.8%
Post-doctoral training
10.4%
Bachelor's degree
9.3%
Post-bachelor certificate
0.6%

Related careers your child might also consider

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 mathematical science teachers, postsecondary

What is the median salary for mathematical science teachers, postsecondary?

The median annual salary for mathematical science teachers, postsecondary is $79,350 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Is mathematical science teachers, postsecondary a growing career?

BLS projects +2.3% growth for mathematical science teachers, postsecondary from 2024 through 2034, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.

What education does my child need to become mathematical 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 mathematical 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.