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Science instructor vs science teacher

The differences between science instructors and 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 science teacher. Additionally, a science teacher has an average salary of $59,788, 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 science teacher are classroom management, professional development, and student learning.

Science instructor vs science teacher overview

Science InstructorScience Teacher
Yearly salary$48,925$59,788
Hourly rate$23.52$28.74
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs40,93671,133
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 science teacher do?

A science teacher is responsible for teaching scientific concepts and disciplines, helping learners to understand systems, procedures, and generate ideas using scientific evidence and approaches. Science teachers create engaging lesson plans and activities for the learners, including laboratory works, group research, and field experiments. They also demonstrate methods and present scientific research to support their observations. A science teacher evaluates the students' learning by giving them written or practical exams, including problem-solving and scientific methods.

Science instructor vs science teacher salary

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

Science InstructorScience Teacher
Average salary$48,925$59,788
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $78,000Between $40,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictPace University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between science instructor and science teacher education

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

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

Science instructor vs science teacher demographics

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

Science InstructorScience Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 50.8% Female, 49.2%Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%
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, 8.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between science instructor and 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.
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Science teacher example responsibilities.

  • Create single gender classes in 7th and 8th grade math and language classes to increase student achievement and decrease discipline referrals.
  • Prepare and instruct biology, botany, chemistry, genetics, microbiology and zoology laboratories.
  • Further students' education on math/science including general science and pre-algebra through curriculum development and hands on instruction.
  • Create and implement appropriate science education programs for k-12 youth.
  • Teach kids fun, invigorating science lessons in after school programming .!
  • Challenge and support urban youth and ESL students with hands on projects and activities.
  • Show more

Science instructor vs science teacher skills

Common science instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 13%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Professional Development, 11%
  • Chemistry, 6%
  • Mathematics, 5%
  • Learning Styles, 4%
Common science teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Science Curriculum, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • Public Schools, 4%

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