Career Profile: Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 15,300 people employed as economics teachers, postsecondary in the United States. The median annual salary is $104,940. Entry level employees earn approximately $58,330 per year and senior employees earn approximately $208,000 (or more) 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

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

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