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Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
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.
Other titles employers use
Adjunct Mathematics Instructor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Instructor · Math Teacher · Mathematical Sciences Professor · Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor) · Mathematics Lecturer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 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 organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
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
- Mathematics
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Instructing
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Number Facility
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
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 | 3.1 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | 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 doctorate or professional degree 47%
- A master's degree 44%
- A four-year degree 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Word processing software
- Development environment software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation 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
- 5,710
- Job openings each year
- 480
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.9%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 5,710 | 480 | 10.9% |
| New York | 5,210 | 90 | 20.3% |
| California | 4,900 | 400 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 4,690 | 390 | 9.6% |
| Illinois | 2,380 | 190 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 2,010 | 160 | 2.0% |
| Michigan | 1,980 | 160 | 2.6% |
| North Carolina | 1,980 | 170 | 10.0% |
| New Jersey | 1,830 | 150 | 8.9% |
| Ohio | 1,530 | 120 | 2.0% |
| Virginia | 1,380 | 110 | 3.0% |
| Alabama | 1,300 | 110 | 7.4% |
| Maryland | 1,290 | 110 | 13.2% |
| Arizona | 1,190 | 100 | 6.3% |
| Colorado | 1,170 | 100 | 18.2% |
| Tennessee | 1,170 | 100 | 15.8% |
| Washington | 1,010 | 100 | 13.5% |
| Wisconsin | 950 | 80 | 6.7% |
| Georgia | 910 | 70 | 8.3% |
| Missouri | 740 | 60 | 2.8% |
| Indiana | 730 | 60 | 5.8% |
| Iowa | 720 | 60 | 9.1% |
| South Carolina | 720 | 60 | 12.5% |
| Connecticut | 690 | 60 | 9.5% |
| Oregon | 690 | 60 | 6.2% |
| Oklahoma | 580 | 50 | — |
| Massachusetts | 500 | 40 | 13.6% |
| Minnesota | 500 | 40 | 4.2% |
| Arkansas | 460 | 40 | 2.2% |
| Kentucky | 440 | 40 | 2.3% |
| Utah | 430 | 40 | 22.9% |
| Mississippi | 420 | 40 | 5.0% |
| Kansas | 390 | 30 | 5.4% |
| New Mexico | 390 | 30 | 8.3% |
| Louisiana | 340 | 30 | 6.3% |
| Nebraska | 310 | 20 | 3.3% |
| Idaho | 270 | 20 | 12.5% |
| District of Columbia | 260 | 20 | 4.0% |
| West Virginia | 260 | 20 | — |
| Maine | 250 | 20 | — |
| Montana | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Rhode Island | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| New Hampshire | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Nevada | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| South Dakota | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| North Dakota | 140 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Vermont | 100 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
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.
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 988
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 817
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 1,116
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 692
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 580
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Stony Brook University
- Degrees each year
- 498
- Admit rate
- 49%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 677
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 958
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000