| Science Teacher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Job Outlook | 6% |
If you are interested in science and enjoy spending time with young people then you might like to become a science teacher.
Science teachers teach subjects like biology, chemistry and physics to high school students, where most of their students are aged between 12 and 19.
Working as a science teacher can be a lot of fun.
Most of your work takes place in the lab, where you get to supervise students conducting their own experiments and learning about science.
You’ll need excellent communication students to become a science teacher, as you will need to be able to convey complex topics to your students in a way they can comprehend.
You will also need to be organized to keep up with grading homework, tests, and other administrative tasks.
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Education Requirements to Become a Science Teacher
You’ll need a teaching degree to become a science teacher, however your major should be in a science discipline, for instance chemistry or biology.
During your sophomore year you should elect to take a teaching specialization.
This will cover teaching methodology as well as a placement position where you will do your supervised teaching practice.
If you already have a degree, there are other ways you can choose to become a science teacher.
In most states there are graduate bridging programs to allow teachers to gain the educational knowledge and practical experience the need to become licensed science teacher.
Every state is different, so to find out the exact requirements for licensure and accreditation in your state, refer to the NCATE website.
Science Teacher Job Description
When you become a science teacher, you will really enjoy your role if you are passionate about science.
Science teachers teach general science to younger students, and subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics to older students.
In the classroom, you’ll teach and complete theory work, physical experiments, and how to write up scientific reports.
Many students enjoy their time in science class, and look forward to it.
You’ll also need to spend time out of the classroom writing reports and planning lessons.
You will also have staff meetings and other administrative duties to attend to, as well as tutoring for students who are struggling, or being in contact with parents.
Many teachers contribute to writing curriculum, and will spend a good deal of time once or twice a year completing this.
Teachers will need to be able to discipline students who are disruptive, while also providing emotional support to students who may be facing a difficult time, at school or at home.
Working as a teacher, it’s important to strike the balance between an approachable figure and someone that the students respect.
A science teacher usually works a forty hour week.
In some instances they may complete overtime to complete grading, attend meetings, or compiling a curriculum.
Here are some of the duties of a science teacher:
- Planning lessons
- Teaching
- Tutoring students
- Writing reports
- Writing curriculum
- Attending staff meetings
- Discipline
Science Teacher Salary and Career Path
The starting salary when you become a science teacher is around $40,000 to $45,000 a year depending on your location.
A teacher with come experience could expect to earn within the median range, which is $47,000 to $51,000.
Working as a science teacher, you might later go on to become a leading teacher, or even an educational administrator such as a school principal.
These kind of positions can pay over $75,000 a year.
Some science teachers end up working within science themselves and go on to work in research or become college professors.
If you decide to work in a private school, it’s likely that you will earn less than these stated figures, however you may have access to greater benefits, such as free or low cost housing.
Some Jobs that are similar to science teacher that might interest you include:
- Elementary teacher
- High school teacher
- Math teacher
- College professor
- Paraprofessional
- School principal
- Librarian
When you become a science teacher you have a great job that can be a lot of fun and also rewarding.
Teachers have excellent job security as well as job training and the potential for advancement.
Education is an important part of our communities, and one that needs the best people.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$95,320Average Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $76,840 |
| Alaska | $98,190 |
| Arizona | $80,640 |
| Arkansas | $62,210 |
| California | $141,290 |
| Colorado | $81,000 |
| Connecticut | $105,040 |
| Delaware | $74,930 |
| District of Columbia | $96,660 |
| Florida | $80,300 |
| Georgia | $70,620 |
| Hawaii | $58,390 |
| Idaho | $76,510 |
| Illinois | $82,260 |
| Indiana | $86,290 |
| Iowa | $88,250 |
| Kansas | $73,580 |
| Kentucky | $76,190 |
| Louisiana | $79,590 |
| Maine | $87,180 |
| Maryland | $118,690 |
| Massachusetts | $104,890 |
| Michigan | $101,190 |
| Minnesota | $101,240 |
| Mississippi | $67,020 |
| Missouri | $90,030 |
| Montana | $84,370 |
| Nebraska | $80,850 |
| Nevada | $82,520 |
| New Hampshire | $102,460 |
| New Jersey | $123,170 |
| New Mexico | $67,750 |
| New York | $120,480 |
| North Carolina | $80,390 |
| North Dakota | $76,500 |
| Ohio | $83,780 |
| Oklahoma | $65,750 |
| Oregon | $113,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,710 |
| Rhode Island | $111,920 |
| South Carolina | $83,880 |
| South Dakota | $70,170 |
| Tennessee | $83,040 |
| Texas | $88,670 |
| Utah | $93,020 |
| Vermont | $94,540 |
| Virginia | $78,910 |
| Washington | $87,890 |
| West Virginia | $78,220 |
| Wisconsin | $91,520 |
| Wyoming | $74,610 |
| Puerto Rico | $70,250 |
The top earning state in the field is California, where the average salary is $141,290.
These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a science teacher do?
A science teacher is someone who instructs and guides students and helps them understand important concepts in science.
Science teachers usually work in elementary, middle or high schools.
The main aim of an elementary teacher is to create hands-on learning centers, in order to help the students investigate, discover, and observe; a middle school teacher helps develop the love for the subject further; in high school, science teachers present complex concepts (sometimes in a science lab).
The typical responsibilities of a science teacher usually include creating lesson plans; presenting science demonstrations; grading tests and assignments; maintaining student records; communicating with school administration and parents, and so on.
How much do science teachers make?
On average, a science teacher can make a little more than $43.000 per year in the United States.
In case you decide to follow this career path, you can expect to earn anywhere between $34.000 and $58.000 annually.
The salary would certainly depend on a variety of factors – your education and experience level, the school you work for, the location and so on.
In case you have a master’s degree, you can earn around $64.000; those who have a doctoral degree can make about $85.000.
Typically, the lowest-paid science teachers are in chemistry.
How much does it cost to become a science teacher?
You would certainly need a bachelor’s degree in education or a specific field that you would like to teach, in order to become a science teacher.
A year in a university can cost you anywhere between $8.000 and $45.000 (and more); the cost depends on a variety of factors (the books, supplies, and accommodation expenses are not included).
To improve job perspectives, you can go for a master’s degree (over $30.000); a Ph.D. will cost you around $17.000 per year.
You must be certified to be able to teach in schools; the cost of teacher certification can vary from state to state, so be prepared to pay anywhere between $40 and $200.
What is the demand for science teachers?
Between 2014 and 2024, the elementary school teacher job market is expected to grow by 6%.
That is pretty much the same as the national average for all occupations in the United States.
At the postsecondary level, the demand for chemistry and biology teachers will grow by 14%.
Those who possess a master’s or a doctorate degree will have better job prospects.
How long does it take to become a science teacher?
It will take you 4 years to obtain a bachelor’s degree; 1-2 years to earn a master’s degree and around 5-7 years to complete a Ph.D. program in science.
To become a certified teacher, you would need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher education program, pass a background check and knowledge and skills tests.
The initial certificate is valid for 5 years; you would have to complete a certain number of professional development hours every five years to maintain the certification.
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