Careers · Explore one path
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other titles employers use
Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Astronomy Professor · Atmospheric Sciences Professor · Geology Professor · Instructor · Meteorology Professor · Oceanography Professor
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Supervise laboratory work and field work.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, analytical and practical work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Science
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.3 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 52%
- A doctorate or professional degree 48%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Word processing software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Electronic mail software
- Geographic information system
- Document management software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,220
- Job openings each year
- 60
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3,220 | 60 | 21.1% |
| California | 2,100 | 170 | 5.0% |
| Florida | 970 | 80 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 920 | 80 | 9.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 680 | 60 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 420 | 40 | 20.0% |
| Illinois | 410 | 30 | 2.5% |
| Arizona | 320 | 30 | 6.7% |
| Washington | 310 | 30 | 14.8% |
| North Carolina | 300 | 30 | 11.1% |
| Ohio | 300 | 20 | — |
| Maryland | 250 | 20 | 13.6% |
| Michigan | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| Connecticut | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Wisconsin | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Alabama | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Indiana | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Massachusetts | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| New Jersey | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Maine | 140 | 10 | — |
| Oregon | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Tennessee | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Missouri | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Utah | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Mississippi | 90 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Kansas | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Arkansas | 70 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Minnesota | 70 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 70 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Montana | 60 | 0 | — |
| New Mexico | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Wyoming | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0 | — |
| Louisiana | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| West Virginia | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Washington State University
- Degrees each year
- 144
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
- Degrees each year
- 409
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 164
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 147
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 96
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Degrees each year
- 342
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
University of Arizona
- Degrees each year
- 120
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Compare every college offering geological and earth sciences/geosciences