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

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median salary of $76,210 per year, ranking in the top 28% 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 social work teachers, postsecondary earn?

The median annual wage for social work teachers, postsecondary is $76,210. That puts social work teachers, postsecondary at #231 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.

Is social work teachers, postsecondary a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for social work teachers, postsecondary is +2.3%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 17K positions in 2024 to 17K in 2034, a net change of 0K. 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 social work teachers, postsecondary do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working social work 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 regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
2. 2.Mentor new faculty members.
3. 3.Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
4. 4.Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, or handouts.
5. 5.Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as family behavior, child and adolescent mental health, or social intervention evaluation.
6. 6.Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
7. 7.Collaborate with colleagues and community agencies to address teaching and research issues.
8. 8.Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

Top skills for social work 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 social work teachers, postsecondary?

The standard path into social work 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.

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

Common questions parents ask about social work teachers, postsecondary