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Science instructor vs high school science teacher

The differences between science instructors and high school science teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a science instructor and a high school science teacher. Additionally, a high school science teacher has an average salary of $53,404, which is higher than the $48,925 average annual salary of a science instructor.

The top three skills for a science instructor include classroom management, kids and professional development. The most important skills for a high school science teacher are professional development, classroom management, and instructional materials.

Science instructor vs high school science teacher overview

Science InstructorHigh School Science Teacher
Yearly salary$48,925$53,404
Hourly rate$23.52$25.68
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs40,93684,939
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a science instructor do?

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. Instructors also need to evaluate each student's performance. They are also required to be excellent in written and verbal skills and communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues.

What does a high school science teacher do?

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. They are required to lesson plans that will cater according to the age group while conducting hands-on demonstrations for science subjects. High school science teachers must also enforce classroom rules and discipline to ensure a safe school environment for all students.

Science instructor vs high school science teacher salary

Science instructors and high school science teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Science InstructorHigh School Science Teacher
Average salary$48,925$53,404
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $78,000Between $39,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictBaltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between science instructor and high school science teacher education

There are a few differences between a science instructor and a high school science teacher in terms of educational background:

Science InstructorHigh School Science Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Science instructor vs high school science teacher demographics

Here are the differences between science instructors' and high school science teachers' demographics:

Science InstructorHigh School Science Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 50.8% Female, 49.2%Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between science instructor and high school science teacher duties and responsibilities

Science instructor example 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
  • Assist students to do electrophoresis lab in which they extract DNA from various fruit.
  • Assist students in homework and give one on one tutoring in math, English, social studies and science.
  • Show more

High school science teacher example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate training for the after-school soccer league, manage game schedules and transportation for the school team
  • Prepare students for higher level science courses including chemistry and anatomy and physiology.
  • Support the implementation of the IB continuum.
  • Create daily lesson plans for biology and human anatomy courses.
  • Incorporate lab activities for an apply, student focuse chemistry course.
  • Prepare and deliver lessons ranging from genetics to cell structure and composition.
  • Show more

Science instructor vs high school science teacher skills

Common science instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 13%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Professional Development, 11%
  • Chemistry, 6%
  • Mathematics, 5%
  • Learning Styles, 4%
Common high school science teacher skills
  • Professional Development, 11%
  • Classroom Management, 10%
  • Instructional Materials, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Student Achievement, 5%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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