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Public Research Universities
University of California, University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
These instructors teach biology at colleges and universities, often splitting time between lectures, lab sections, grading, advising, and preparing hands-on course materials. What makes the work distinct is that you have to stay current in a fast-changing science field while also turning that knowledge into clear teaching and student support. The tradeoff is that the job can be rewarding and well paid, but it usually takes years of graduate training and the academic job ladder is relatively narrow.
Also known as Professor of BiologyBiology ProfessorCollege Biology InstructorBiological Science InstructorBiology Faculty Member
Median Salary
$83,460
Mean $101,340
U.S. Workforce
~53K
5.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+7.3%
66K to 70.8K
Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary sits in the Education category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~53K workers, with a median annual pay of $83,460 and roughly 5.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 66 K in 2024 to 70.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Doctoral degree in biology or a related life science, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Graduate Teaching Assistant and can progress toward Associate Professor or Department Chair. High-value skills usually include Biology Content Knowledge & Scientific Method, Laboratory Instruction, Safety & Equipment, and Curriculum Design, Syllabi & Lesson Planning, paired with soft skills such as Speaking clearly to groups, Instructing and coaching students, and Learning strategies.
Core Responsibilities
- Teach biology classes and lab sections, using examples, demonstrations, and discussions to make the material easier to understand.
- Grade exams, lab reports, homework, and papers, then give students feedback on what they need to improve.
- Meet with students about course choices, academic progress, and career plans in biology or related fields.
- Update lessons, lab activities, and course materials so they reflect new research and better teaching methods.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Teach biology classes and lab sections, using examples, demonstrations, and discussions to make the material easier to understand.
02 Grade exams, lab reports, homework, and papers, then give students feedback on what they need to improve.
03 Meet with students about course choices, academic progress, and career plans in biology or related fields.
04 Update lessons, lab activities, and course materials so they reflect new research and better teaching methods.
05 Build syllabi, handouts, and lab instructions, and make sure the class has the supplies and equipment it needs.
06 Attend department meetings, serve on committees, and help students who need extra support outside of class.
Industries That Hire
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Private Universities
Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University
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Community Colleges
Miami Dade College, Santa Monica College, Austin Community College
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Medical Schools & Health Science Centers
Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
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Online Higher Education
Southern New Hampshire University, Western Governors University, University of Phoenix
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for academia, with a median salary of $83,460 and a mean of $101,340.
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No work experience or on-the-job training is required beyond the degree, so the main barrier is education rather than a long apprenticeship.
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The job mixes teaching, lab work, mentoring, and curriculum planning, which keeps the work from becoming repetitive.
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There are about 5.4K annual openings, so new positions open up regularly as people retire or move on.
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Projected growth is 7.3% through 2034, which suggests modest but real demand for qualified instructors.
Challenges
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The education requirement is steep: most workers need a doctoral or professional degree, and 38.37% also complete post-doctoral training.
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The academic job market is narrow, and many positions depend on school budgets, enrollment, and shifting department priorities.
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Remote work is rare because the job is built around labs, office hours, and in-person teaching.
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Pay can be much lower in adjunct or teaching-heavy jobs than the mean salary suggests, especially outside research universities.
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The career ladder can be slow and limited, with tenure-track and senior faculty spots harder to get than teaching itself.
Career Progression
Graduate Teaching Assistant
0-3 years
$35K-$50K
Usually a graduate student helping with labs, discussion sections, grading, and student questions while still building subject expertise.
Postdoctoral Fellow
2-6 years
$52K-$70K
Focuses on advanced research and some teaching or mentoring, often with limited job security and a heavy publication load.
Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary THIS ROLE
5-12 years
$72K-$98K
Teaches biology courses, runs labs, advises students, and keeps course materials current; this tier includes the $83,460 median salary.
Associate Professor or Department Chair
10+ years
$100K-$145K
Handles a bigger teaching and service load, may lead a lab or department, and often has more say in curriculum and hiring.
Education Paths
Doctoral degree in biology or a related life science
The most common entry point, held by 48.44% of workers in this role, and the usual requirement for teaching at four-year colleges and universities.
Post-doctoral training
A common follow-up step, held by 38.37% of workers, especially for people aiming for research-heavy schools or stronger publication records.
Master's degree in biology or a related field
An alternative path, used by 11.73% of workers, more often at community colleges or teaching-focused programs where a doctorate is not always required.
Graduate certificate in college teaching
A useful add-on for people who already have a graduate degree and want stronger classroom training, but it does not replace the degree expectations for most positions.
Key Skills
Technical
Biology Content Knowledge & Scientific Method 80%
Laboratory Instruction, Safety & Equipment 79%
Curriculum Design, Syllabi & Lesson Planning 78%
Canvas, Blackboard & Moodle LMS 76%
R, Excel & Basic Statistical Analysis 75%
Scientific Literature Review & Citation Management 74%
Soft Skills
Speaking clearly to groupsInstructing and coaching studentsLearning strategiesActive learningActive listeningWriting clearly Job Outlook and Trends
+7.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
5.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 66K to 70.8 K over the next decade, representing 7.3% growth. Around 5.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.