Post job

What is a science instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Rodney Foster,
Anita Corbett Ph.D.

A science instructor provides instructions to students in science subjects. They explain and provide information regarding basic and advanced concepts in science. It is their responsibility to research for ideas and evidence to support a specific topic and explain this to students. They should also be willing to perform, set up, and give adequate explanations on science experiments. A science instructor in a college or high school setting must be able to explain complex scientific concepts, deliver clear instruction and investigative knowledge, and have good knowledge of laboratory use.

To be successful in this career, you need to be detail-oriented, effective at problem-solving, and also have excellent instructional skills. Not just this, but you must possess a degree in science education and subjects depending on the science subject you are specialized in. The average salary of a science instructor is about $51,000 per year.

What general advice would you give to a science instructor?

Rodney FosterRodney Foster LinkedIn profile

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.
ScoreScience InstructorUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,925

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 3.58%

Black or African American 8.01%

Hispanic or Latino 11.66%

Unknown 3.97%

White 72.33%

Gender

female 49.24%

male 50.76%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Stress level
8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Science instructor career paths

Key steps to become a science instructor

  1. Explore science instructor education requirements

    Most common science instructor degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.2 %

    Master's

    20.0 %

    Associate

    7.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific science instructor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Classroom Management13.17%
    Kids10.98%
    Professional Development10.78%
    Chemistry6.23%
    Mathematics4.89%
  3. Complete relevant science instructor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New science 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 a science instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real science instructor resumes.
  4. Research science instructor duties and responsibilities

    • Course content ranges from medical applications to specific topics in physiology.
    • Work collaboratively with program instructors to design anatomy and physiology courses to augment their curriculum.
    • Plan and oversee extensive daily chemistry and biology laboratory experiments (and tasks similar to above )
    • Conduct experiments ranging from general biology, chemistry, physics, geology, microbiology, genetics, microbiology, and anatomy
  5. Prepare your science instructor resume

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

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a science instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable science instructor resume templates

    Build a professional science instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your science instructor resume.
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
    Science Instructor Resume
  6. Apply for science instructor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a science instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first science instructor job

Zippi

Are you a science instructor?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average science instructor salary

The average science instructor salary in the United States is $48,925 per year or $24 per hour. Science instructor salaries range between $30,000 and $78,000 per year.

Average science instructor salary
$48,925 Yearly
$23.52 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do science instructors rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Science instructor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

The transfer of knowledge and the joy on the student's face when they understand

Cons

The low pay which is often offered


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

I like seeing student grow intellectually and succeed in life. I was employed for nine years with the Fort Worth ISD and very instrumental in helping numerous of my students earn their GED. I counseled with those students interested in a,post-secondary education. I acquired a TEA Adult Education Certification through action research studies. I received the certification (August 8, 2010) two years ahead of my fellow adult education teachers in Tarrant County.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Cons

Nothing really


Working as a science instructor? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse education, training, and library jobs