How to hire a chemistry teacher

How to hire a chemistry teacher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step chemistry teacher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a chemistry teacher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new chemistry teacher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your chemistry teacher job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a chemistry teacher for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A chemistry teacher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, chemistry teachers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents chemistry teacher salaries for various positions.

   Type of Chemistry Teacher	Description	Hourly rate
   Chemistry Teacher	High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.	$16-38
   Science Instructor	A Science Instructor guides the student in understanding important concepts in science, which may include problem-solving and gathering evidence in supporting concepts or ideas. Their responsibilities include presenting science demonstrations, checking assignments, grading tests, and writing lesson plans... Show more	$14-37
   High School Science Teacher	High school science teachers are teaching professionals who are responsible for teaching high school students about subjects related to science. These teachers may teach science subjects such as biology, physics, chemistry, or astronomy however they can teach a combination of these studies depending on the school budget and staffing concern... Show more	$18-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Classroom Management
   • Lab Experiments
   • Learning Environment
   • Professional Development
   • Student Learning
   • Public Schools
   • Math
   • Instructional Materials
   • Mathematics
   • Academic Performance
   • Learning Process
   • Chemistry Curriculum
   • Exam
   • Physical Science

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create all classroom guidelines, syllabus, course work, and laboratories.
   • Participate in district curriculum alignment and help to write the current course syllabus.
   • Review and present each student's IEP to parents, administrators, and classroom teachers.
   • Increase technology, math and science skills through direct lab experience and weekly presentations of students work.
   • Design skill-appropriate math and literacy focuse lesson plans and supportive tools.
   • Design, develop and implement non-existent lesson plans while self-teaching chemistry for classroom presentations.

   More chemistry teacher duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your chemistry teacher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A chemistry teacher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, chemistry teachers' average salary in idaho is 62% less than in maryland.
   • Seniority. Entry-level chemistry teachers 58% less than senior-level chemistry teachers.
   • Certifications. A chemistry teacher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a chemistry teacher's salary.

   Average chemistry teacher salary

   $52,651yearly

   $25.31 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level chemistry teacher salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average chemistry teacher salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$85,598	$41
   2	Massachusetts	$75,446	$36
   3	New York	$73,745	$35
   4	New Jersey	$72,450	$35
   5	Pennsylvania	$64,960	$31
   6	District of Columbia	$64,826	$31
   7	Ohio	$63,652	$31
   8	Illinois	$61,439	$30
   9	Florida	$57,533	$28
   10	California	$56,112	$27
   11	Georgia	$55,157	$27
   12	Wisconsin	$48,294	$23
   13	Texas	$47,203	$23
   14	Indiana	$46,136	$22
   15	Louisiana	$42,236	$20
   16	Tennessee	$39,942	$19
   17	Arkansas	$39,017	$19
   18	Arizona	$35,438	$17

   Average chemistry teacher salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Boston Public Schools	$93,870	$45.13	26
   2	University of California	$90,749	$43.63	4
   3	Boston College	$89,316	$42.94	2
   4	Holton-Arms School	$89,313	$42.94	5
   5	University of California-Berkeley	$88,440	$42.52	24
   6	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	$88,301	$42.45	4
   7	Baltimore City Public Schools	$86,042	$41.37	15
   8	The Nueva School	$85,251	$40.99	2
   9	University of Rochester	$84,491	$40.62
   10	UC Merced	$84,430	$40.59
   11	University of Michigan	$83,624	$40.20	5
   12	University of Pittsburgh	$80,277	$38.59	6
   13	The Ohio State University	$79,961	$38.44
   14	The University of Chicago	$79,776	$38.35	7
   15	Clarkson University	$79,669	$38.30	2
   16	The University of Kansas Health System	$76,879	$36.96
   17	University of Hawaii Foundation	$75,331	$36.22	3
   18	The University of Texas at San Antonio	$75,066	$36.09	3
   19	University of New Orleans	$74,311	$35.73
   20	Princeton Public Schools	$73,931	$35.54	4

4. Writing a chemistry teacher job description

   A chemistry teacher job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a chemistry teacher job description:

   Chemistry teacher job description example

   We are a thriving nonprofit network of 16 free, public charter schools open to all students. At KIPP, we believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and that schools can and should be a critical factor in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose-college, career, and beyond-so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.
   
   Our student community consists of over 6,000 elementary, middle, and high school students in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jose, Redwood City, and Stockton. 79% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 23% are English language learners, and 10% have special needs. We strive to cultivate a representative team of teachers and leaders that reflect our students' diversity.
   
   Our schools are looking for talented and committed Chemistry Teachers to play a key role in the establishment of curriculum and culture as they develop a world-class education program from the stages of vision to execution.
   
   The outcomes our students deserve necessitate continuously strong teaching from the time our students enter kindergarten until they graduate from college. As such, our Chemistry Teachers will work closely with each school's leadership team to ensure our students learn, grow, and eventually achieve transformative life outcomes. Each Chemistry Teacher will be responsible for ensuring that our students have the opportunity to learn in an environment of joyful, excellent teaching.
   
   Above all else, the most effective teacher will find joy and purpose in teaching children the habits necessary to be successful in school, and s/he will relish the opportunity to imbue our students with a love for learning. S/he must also be committed to KIPP Public Schools Northern California's mission, while possessing the beliefs, character traits, and skills necessary to ensure student growth and achievement.
   
   Teachers are expected to plan, organize and implement an appropriate instructional program in a TK-12 learning environment, both in an in-person classroom setting and virtually, that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic and socio-emotional potential. Work is performed under the supervision of the principal.
   All KIPP Teachers must... Model KIPP values Be committed to being an anti-racist educator Believe all students can achieve at the highest academic levels Possess strong content area knowledge and skills building relationships with students, families, and communities Teach in our extended day and year schedule (click here to learn more about a day in the life of a KIPP student) Contribute to a relentless and dedicated team of outstanding professionals Communicate well with students, families, and colleagues Have proficient knowledge of Google Suite applications (Google Classroom, Hangout, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) Have the ability to learn and utilize instructional technology to support in-class and distance learning (i.e. Zoom, Nearpod) Hold a B.A/B.S degree from a regionally accredited institution Hold a valid teaching credential or be in the process of securing one (please click here to learn more) Preferred Qualifications Experience as an educator teaching Black and Brown students for one or more years Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese or Mandarin speaking proficiency Compensation We are dedicated to you and your family's well-being! KIPP offers a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and transportation benefits. Salary Scale Questions? Email us at [email protected] Apply here and pursue your dream job today! Keywords: Stockton, high school, middle school, elementary school, jobs, hiring, oakland, east bay, california, bay area, san francisco, san jose, peninsula, east palo alto, redwood city, early childhood education, chemistry, science, STEM

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find chemistry teachers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your chemistry teacher job on Zippia to find and attract quality chemistry teacher candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as k12jobspot, learn4good, serious teachers, teachingjobs.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit chemistry teachers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new chemistry teacher

   Once you've selected the best chemistry teacher candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new chemistry teacher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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