Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Career Overview

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Also Known As

• Assistant Professor
• Chemistry Instructor
• Chemistry Professor
• Professor

Alternate Job Titles

• Adjunct Chemistry Instructor
• Adjunct Chemistry Professor
• Adjunct Instructor
• Analytical Chemistry Teacher
• Assistant Professor
• Associate Professor
• Biochemistry Professor
• Chemical Educator
• Chemistry Adjunct Instructor
• Chemistry Adjunct Professor
• Chemistry Assistant Professor
• Chemistry Faculty Member
• Chemistry Instructor
• Chemistry Lab Instructor
• Chemistry Professor

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical separation.
• Establish, teach, and monitor students' compliance with safety rules for handling chemicals, equipment, and other hazardous materials.
• Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory performance, assignments, and papers.
• Supervise students' laboratory work.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Chemistry
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Education and Training
• Biology

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Writing
3. Speaking
4. Active Listening
5. Science
6. Critical Thinking
7. Active Learning
8. Learning Strategies
9. Monitoring
10. Instructing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Recognition
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Intellectual Curiosity
• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Integrity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Achievement
• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Recognition
• Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Master's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration

Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Google Docs
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• Atomic absorption AA spectrophotometers
• Atomic emission spectroscopes
• Automated polarimeters
• Benchtop muffle furnaces
• Benchtop orbital shakers
• Benchtop ultracentrifuges
• Capillary electrophoresis systems
• Carousel slide projectors
• Chemiluminescence analyzers
• Cold rooms
• Compact digital cameras
• Compact disk CD players
• Computer data input scanners
• Computer laser printers
• Conference telephones

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
• Freedom to Make Decisions
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$52,870
Median	$86,220
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$171,600

Workers Employed Nationally: 20,390

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.