How much does a atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary make?
The median atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary in the United States earns $103,170 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1051.
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary salary range
Pay for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $59,700 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $203,190. The average (mean) wage of $116,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,700 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,260 | |
| Median (50th) | $103,170 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $135,510 | |
| 90th percentile | $203,190 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary earn the most in California at $133,230 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $63,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $133,230 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $131,930 | 270 |
| New Hampshire | $130,230 | 50 |
| Oregon | $128,140 | 340 |
| Connecticut | $123,770 | 230 |
| Virginia | $119,940 | 230 |
| Arizona | $110,600 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $108,930 | 470 |
| Maryland | $107,700 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $107,370 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $106,990 | 50 |
| Nevada | $105,860 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $105,650 | 220 |
| Texas | $105,080 | 690 |
| Michigan | $104,780 | 180 |
| Oklahoma | $104,270 | 30 |
| Washington | $103,070 | 210 |
| North Carolina | $102,980 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $102,900 | 90 |
| Missouri | $102,200 | 130 |
| Kansas | $101,750 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $100,240 | 50 |
| Indiana | $99,970 | 130 |
| North Dakota | $98,000 | 60 |
| Iowa | $97,660 | 50 |
| Utah | $97,240 | 180 |
| Kentucky | $95,830 | 40 |
| Maine | $95,320 | 130 |
| Ohio | $94,890 | 150 |
| Georgia | $94,790 | 50 |
| New York | $87,350 | 1,730 |
| Illinois | $87,150 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $85,020 | 120 |
| Florida | $81,980 | 350 |
| Alabama | $81,940 | 90 |
| West Virginia | $81,850 | 40 |
| Colorado | $79,190 | 340 |
| Mississippi | $77,670 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $76,500 | 80 |
| South Dakota | $63,160 | 70 |
State median wages for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
The BLS projects employment of atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 12,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 12,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
The typical entry-level education for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $133,230) and the lowest (South Dakota, $63,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 9,900 people work as atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary in the United States. At $103,170 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary salary FAQ
How much does an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary make an hour?
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $103,170.
What is the highest atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary earn more than $203,190 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary make a year?
The median annual salary for an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary is $103,170. The average (mean) wage of $116,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary a well paid job?
At $103,170 a year, an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 9,900 people work as atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary in the United States.
Which state pays atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary the most?
California has the highest median salary for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary at $133,230 a year. New Jersey ($131,930) and New Hampshire ($130,230) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary a good career?
Employment of atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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