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Public universities
University of California, Arizona State University, University of Texas
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
These instructors teach subjects that do not fit a standard faculty title, often in colleges, universities, or specialized schools. The job mixes lesson planning, classroom teaching, grading, and student support, with the biggest tradeoff being that the work can be rewarding but usually requires a doctorate and faces slow job growth and uneven job security.
Also known as Adjunct ProfessorCollege InstructorLecturerAdjunct FacultyVisiting Lecturer
Median Salary
$78,490
Mean $94,470
U.S. Workforce
~152K
13.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1.8%
183.4K to 186.8K
Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 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 ~152K workers, with a median annual pay of $78,490 and roughly 13.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 183.4 K in 2024 to 186.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Doctoral or professional degree, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Graduate Teaching Assistant and can progress toward Department Chair or Program Director. High-value skills usually include Curriculum Design & Syllabus Development, Canvas, Blackboard & Moodle, and Rubric Design, Assessment & Gradebook Tools, paired with soft skills such as Clear communication, Patience, and Organization.
Core Responsibilities
- Plan the course before the term starts by choosing readings, building assignments, and setting the class schedule.
- Teach lectures, seminars, labs, or discussion sections and adjust the pace when students are struggling.
- Grade essays, exams, presentations, and projects, then give students feedback on what they need to improve.
- Hold office hours and answer student questions about course material, grades, and academic expectations.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Plan the course before the term starts by choosing readings, building assignments, and setting the class schedule.
02 Teach lectures, seminars, labs, or discussion sections and adjust the pace when students are struggling.
03 Grade essays, exams, presentations, and projects, then give students feedback on what they need to improve.
04 Hold office hours and answer student questions about course material, grades, and academic expectations.
05 Update slides, handouts, and online course pages so students have current materials and deadlines.
06 Meet with department colleagues about curriculum changes, course scheduling, and student progress.
Industries That Hire
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Private universities
Harvard University, Stanford University, Duke University
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Community colleges
Miami Dade College, Austin Community College, City College of New York
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Specialized arts and design schools
Berklee College of Music, Parsons School of Design, Rhode Island School of Design
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Online and for-profit colleges
Southern New Hampshire University, University of Phoenix, Purdue Global
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay can be solid, with a median annual wage of $78,490 and a mean of $94,470 for those who move into better-paying schools or senior roles.
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You get to teach a subject you know well instead of following a rigid script, which makes the work intellectually satisfying.
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There are still about 13.5K annual openings, so people do move in and out of the field each year.
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The role usually does not require formal on-the-job training, so once you have the degree, you can move directly into teaching.
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Schedules can offer some flexibility outside class time, especially for grading, prep work, and online course management.
Challenges
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Growth is only 1.8% through 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The job market is tied to enrollment and school budgets, which can make hiring uneven from year to year.
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The work often includes a lot of unpaid or invisible labor outside the classroom, such as grading, office hours, and committee work.
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A doctoral or professional degree is the usual entry requirement, so the upfront cost in time and money is high.
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Career security can be limited because many schools rely on contingent or part-time instructors, and the number of tenure-track openings is much smaller than the number of people who want them.
Career Progression
Graduate Teaching Assistant
0-2 years
$25K-$45K
Helps lead discussion sections, grades basic assignments, and learns how college courses are run while still in graduate school.
Adjunct Instructor
1-5 years
$46K-$65K
Teaches one or more courses on a part-time or contract basis and spends much of the time preparing lessons and grading outside class.
Postsecondary Teacher, All Other THIS ROLE
4-10 years
$70K-$90K
Designs and teaches courses, advises students, and handles grading and department duties as a full-time faculty member.
Senior Lecturer
8-15 years
$95K-$120K
Takes on larger course loads, mentors newer faculty, and often helps shape curriculum or program standards.
Department Chair or Program Director
12+ years
$125K-$160K
Leads a department or academic program, balancing teaching with scheduling, staffing, budgets, and faculty oversight.
Education Paths
Doctoral or professional degree
This is the standard route for most full-time college teaching jobs and the BLS typical entry level for the occupation.
Master's degree in the subject area
A master's degree can be enough for some teaching assignments, especially in applied fields or at two-year colleges, but it is usually an alternative path rather than the main one.
Advanced industry experience plus graduate study
In some practical subjects, deep work experience paired with graduate study or licensure can open teaching opportunities even when a doctorate is not required.
Key Skills
Technical
Curriculum Design & Syllabus Development 95%
Canvas, Blackboard & Moodle 92%
Rubric Design, Assessment & Gradebook Tools 88%
PowerPoint, Google Slides & Classroom Presentation Tech 84%
JSTOR, Google Scholar & EBSCOhost 80%
Zoom, Microsoft Teams & Hybrid Teaching Platforms 76%
Soft Skills
Clear communicationPatienceOrganizationMentoring and coachingTime managementAdaptability Job Outlook and Trends
+1.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
13.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 183.4K to 186.8 K over the next decade, representing 1.8% growth. Around 13.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.