How To Become An Engineering Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is an engineering instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Rodney Foster

Engineering, as a course, must be taught in the simplest form. This way, the goal of passing on knowledge will be carried out to yield positive results. However, this has to be done by intelligently engaging the student and making it so relatable that everyone can fully grasp what is being taught.

An engineering instructor instructs students in the field of engineering. Just as we have specializations in engineering, we also have different instructors in these fields. An engineering instructor must be creative and dynamic in teaching so that students can benefit from it. The teacher assesses students' performance by administering tests and examinations. They also help in mentoring students' so that they can excel in their chosen fields.

A master's degree or doctorate in an engineering field will earn you a position as an engineering instructor. It is also possible to become an instructor with your high school diploma. In the US, engineering instructors make an average of $26 .15 per hour or $54,398 per year.

What general advice would you give to an engineering instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreEngineering InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $50,652

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 12.29%

Black or African American 7.29%

Hispanic or Latino 10.37%

Unknown 4.96%

White 64.81%

Gender

female 18.53%

male 81.47%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an engineering instructor

Explore engineering instructor education requirements

Most common engineering instructor degrees

Bachelor's

60.7 %

Master's

17.0 %

Associate

13.7 %

Start to develop specific engineering instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Kids	24.54%
Professional Development	13.00%
Engineering Principles	7.93%
Engineering Courses	4.48%
Mathematics	3.94%

Complete relevant engineering instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New engineering instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an engineering instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real engineering instructor resumes.

Research engineering instructor duties and responsibilities

Achieve highest GPA for any class in the history of the program.
Enrich student learning of robotics and computer programming with the LEGO Mindstorm robotic kits.
Conduct labs on PLC operations, advance motor control, service installation, and raceways.
Provide training on DC motor control systems and programmable logic controllers for surface mining equipment to employees and mining personnel worldwide.

Prepare your engineering instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your engineering instructor resume.

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