Career Profile: Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 10,900 people employed as agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary in the United States. The median annual salary is $95,910. Entry level employees earn approximately $48,720 per year and senior employees earn approximately $157,210 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
• Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
• Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
• Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as crop production, plant genetics, and soil chemistry.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
• Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
• Act as advisers to student organizations.
• Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
• Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
• Participate in campus and community events.
• Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
• Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
• Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
• Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
• Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

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