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Job outlook for university teachers in the United States
Are university teacher jobs in demand?
University teacher job and salary trends over time
University teacher jobs over time
University teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 365 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 886 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 406 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 407 | 0.00% |
Average university teacher salary over time
University teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,467 | $22.82 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $46,308 | $22.26 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | $46,182 | $22.20 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $45,357 | $21.81 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $44,589 | $21.44 | +3.7% |
University teacher jobs by state
Most common states for university teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 126 | 18% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 168 | 13% |
| 3 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 976 | 11% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 681 | 11% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 591 | 11% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 588 | 11% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,270 | 10% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 673 | 10% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 208 | 10% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 106 | 10% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 92 | 10% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 168 | 9% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 657 | 8% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 527 | 8% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 232 | 8% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 893 | 7% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 769 | 7% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 398 | 7% |
| 19 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 284 | 7% |
| 20 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 225 | 7% |
Most common cities for university teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $56,772 |
University Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of university teacher experts
University of Dallas
Welch College
George Fox University
Vanguard University
Nyack College
University of Sioux Falls
University of Dallas
Interdenominational Theological Center
Nazarene Theological Seminary
Christ College at Concordia University
Yale University
Claremont School of Theology
Sr Mary Neenan O.P.
Affiliate Assistant Professor of TheologyUniversity of Dallas
Religious Education
What will help University Teachers increase their earning potential?
Sr Mary Neenan O.P.: The best way to maximize salary potential is to obtain a higher degree (a Master’s level degree), or to specialize in something marketable – such as classical education or CGS (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd). This requires effort and an investment, but will be well worth the effort.
What general advice would you give to a University Teacher?
José Rodríguez: Personally, what I like the most is the opportunity to interact with young people, listening attentively to them, and providing guidance that will allow them to make informed theological decisions that will impact their present and future lives and ministries. The main challenge within the profession would be to maintain a healthy balance between the theoretical and the practical aspects of theology.
What University Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
José Rodríguez: This era of excess information is leading many astray from the truth, and it is precisely theology the main answer to reorient people to the truth. As we teach Theology, it is the conscious study of it that deepens the commitment to the tradition of the student. At the same time, it changes and shapes the student as he is exposed to diverse ways of thinking. Theology should be taught in a way that should help in the spiritual formation of the believer. As an instructor, one can lead students to allow theology to shape the way they relate to God, how they worship God, how to live within God's calling for their lives. This is a worthy calling expressed in the profession of teaching theology.
What will help University Teachers increase their earning potential?
José Rodríguez: Research is one of the main tasks for a Theology instructor. As he faces a daily classroom filled with inquiry minds, he must be ready to provide an answer for those theological questions and issues students might be facing. These questions might have a present cultural implication which makes this a constant challenge within the field. Within our context, graduates usually engage in pastoral or missionary work immediately after graduation. Consequently, they will join the daily ministry challenges in their specific area of ministry.
What technical skills for a University Teacher stand out to employers?
Phil Smith Ph.D.: Everyone needs a good I.T. department. Sadly, more and more I.T. effort must be devoted to protecting against hackers. Cities, counties, hospitals, factories, universities, and many other work places-virtually all organizations with more than a handful of employees-can be victims of phishing expeditions and viral hacks.
What's a good job out of college for University Teachers?
Phil Smith Ph.D.: Despite my answer to #2, it's important to work with people. Get your feet wet in some field not directly related to your major. Businesses need new employees who can think well, write well, speak well, and work cooperatively with others. Traditional liberal arts degrees continue to be relevant in the workplace because they prepare students with these skills.
What skills stand out on University Teacher resumes?
Richard Park D.Phil: If what I suggest above is true, then the kinds of skills-including "soft skills"-that would stand out on resumes might include: creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, empathic reasoning, charitable dialogue, and anything related to emerging technologies. Certainly, at least four out of five of these skills are integral to the religion/theology major at a given university. Even more than this, what I see as one of the biggest benefits of majoring in religion/theology in college is how it provides a natural context in which one could think and grow more deeply into a virtuous human person. People will (always) yearn for community. People will (always) search for meaning. And such people will turn to those who have worked on becoming great souls.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for University Teachers to find work opportunities?
Richard Park D.Phil: Some obvious places would include houses of worship (i.e., temples, churches, mosques). Some other natural places are NGOs and the work of mental healthcare professionals and social work. Some less obvious places include the world of writers, filmmakers, music, and the arts more generally. As people yearn for meaning, they will find it in the priest's homily and the pastor's office, but also in story, song, and other conveyors of beauty. The world will always hunger for more truth, goodness, and beauty.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the University Teacher job market given the pandemic?
Richard Park D.Phil: It's hard to predict job trends-this is especially true during a global crisis, such as the one we're facing now. If I were to take a stab it, I might point to three possibilities: technology, community, and faith. The Information Revolution had already created millions of new jobs within the tech industry. Since so much of our world is and may continue for sometime to be on lockdown, this trend seems likely only to increase. Companies which once thought it "impossible" to conduct business/meetings/etc. over video conferencing now find it not only possible, but most efficient. Secondly, community. The longing for belonging is an essential human condition. It will never go away.
Given what I mentioned above, we might temporarily have to find new ways to "do community" (perhaps using technology to an extent), since doing without community simply will not do. There may be an increased need for people (perhaps engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, sociologists) who create new ways of connecting. Lastly, as with most crises (whether national, global, or personal), people will likely turn their attention to ultimate meanings-which implies a search for or a deepening of faith. Dramatic change, suffering, or other uncontrollable factors will cause us to yearn to make sense of life: of suffering, of good and evil, and of life after death. So, there will be a need for guides-people who can walk, process, pray, and sit with those who are on this search for meaning and making sense of life.
Amy Davis Abdallah Ph.D.
Professor of Theology and BibleNyack College
Department of Biblical and Theological Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on University Teachers?
Amy Davis Abdallah Ph.D.: This is unlikely. Most of our students either go to grad school or work in Christian ministry. Higher education will be offered as long as there are students. The pandemic may impact job opportunities for students with Masters or Doctorates, but the possibilities will likely remain the same for those with a BA. It is possible that there will be a greater need for workers in Christian service like the church, para-church ministry, education, and camp ministry. When people can be together again, they may make it more of a priority.
What experience really stands out on University Teacher resumes?
Amy Davis Abdallah Ph.D.: I'm not sure I can answer this well since I do not generally review resumes. However, I would guess that IT skills are key. Rather than simply content knowledge, employers need well-rounded graduates that can communicate through a variety of platforms.
Brian Gregg Ph.D.
ProfessorUniversity of Sioux Falls
Theology Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on University Teachers?
Brian Gregg Ph.D.: Theology majors have a variety of career paths open to them. While many work in the church in some capacity, others gravitate to the mission field, nonprofits with kingdom-focused goals, and parachurch organizations like camp ministries or campus ministries. Though there are implications for each of these, the lasting impact on church ministry might be the most obvious. The coronavirus seems to have accelerated a trend that was already on the rise in the local church. Increasingly, even those parishioners who consider themselves committed to the church are unlikely to be present at worship on a weekly basis. This impacts development of community, engagement with regular teaching, giving of offering, and the ability to adequately invest in a number of other Christian disciplines. The coronavirus forced many churches to alter the way that they engage the congregation and the community, severely hampering the investment in fellowship and in many cases requiring worship to move online. These changes have served to reinforce the sense that church is a commodity (like so much of what we experience online) meant to be consumed at our discretion. Graduates entering into ministry will need to reckon with these trends.
Dr. Jodi Hunt Ph.D.
Affiliate Assistant Professor of Ministry, Director of Graduate/Undergraduate ProgramsUniversity of Dallas
Neuhoff School of Ministry
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the University Teacher job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jodi Hunt Ph.D.: It is no surprise that the pandemic has yielded many challenges for our churches, congregations, dioceses, parishes and their leaders. Given the current trends, it does appear that many churches and other faith-based organizations will experience challenging times ahead, especially in relation to financial ones caused by a slow return to the pews.
Even so, there are many good things that we expect to happen in relation to the job market for those with degrees in religion/theology or those who pursue vocations. For one, with the growing need for pastoral care, especially for those who have been physically, spiritually, emotionally and/or menatlly displaced by the pandemic, there will be many career opportunities for lay ministers and ordained pastors to pursue as pastoral counselors and/or chaplains. Christians education, especially at classic based schools, is also seeing a renewal of interest. With many families disconnected from and/or concerned about public schooling, career opportunities for those interested in using their theology/religion degree for teaching in private or charter schools is on the rise.
Another area that is currently 'trending' as far as careers in ministry/religion is spiritual direction. In addition to pastoral care, many who have been gravely impacted by the pandemic as searching for spiritual directors to help them make sense of the world around them. All in all, there are lots of opportunities that still await those who have degrees in ministry/religion/theology or who are ordained ministers.
What University Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jodi Hunt Ph.D.: For graduates who take a gap year, I highly recommend that they work in the private sector, in business and/or marketing. When working for the church or even in Christian-based schools, you will wear many hats. In addition to leading a flock or teaching theology, you can expect to be asked to fundraise, put together a major event, market programs, coordinate HR concerns-the list goes on and on. With this in mind, it is always good to have some form of business acumen that can help you make sound operational decisions for the managing of day to day operations.
Additionally, with the rise of reliance on social media, webpages, etc. to communicate what is happening in faith based organizations and churches, it is good to get some solid marketing experience as well. Go learn how to run ad campaigns, put together a social media site or effective webpage and even learn a thing or two about how to create an eye catching flyer. Knowing how to coordinate marketing and other media management will serve you fantastically as a ministerial leader.
What general advice would you give to a University Teacher?
Dr. Jodi Hunt Ph.D.: As a new graduate, the first thing that you should know is that you will fail, alot! There will be lots of times that you will find that you do not have an audience or that those who you think will show up to help, participate, etc. won't. And that is OK! Eventually, your work will come together and once you gain the trust of the faith community or organization that you are serving, you will be successful. With this in mind, be sure you define what it means to be successful and effective. Being effective in drawing people closer to their faith and or accompanything them while they are in the valleys does not always appear to be a success as far as you might not be making money for the organization or even working with more than a few people. That too is OK.
In terms of ministry and vocations, effectiveness is more important than portraying your program as a huge success through the lens of what the world deems successful. I also would add do not be afraid to do ministry in other places outside the church. There are lots of opportunities to work in chaplaincy, for non profits that serve the poor, etc. If you feel called to work outside the church in other areas of service, then go for it! Theology, religion degrees open a world of opportunities, so do not be afraid to go out into the world and serve in places that you did not expect to go.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Crawford Sr.
Interim President-Dean Gammon Theological SeminaryInterdenominational Theological Center
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on University Teachers?
Rev. Dr. Joseph Crawford Sr.: Yes. There are environmental social distancing challenges that minimize in-person peer support.
What type of skills will young University Teachers need?
Rev. Dr. Joseph Crawford Sr.: Financial management, integrated technological savvy and interpersonal relationship skills are critical assessments needed to compete. These areas could complement the Prophetic leadership training gained from being saturated in the ITC community.
What experience really stands out on University Teacher resumes?
Rev. Dr. Joseph Crawford Sr.: Signs of stability (not too many short-term involvements) and versatility (signs of multiple/diverse) skills stand out on resumes.
Josh Sweden Ph.D.
Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Church and SocietyNazarene Theological Seminary
Church and Society Area
What type of skills will young University Teachers need?
Josh Sweden Ph.D.: Seminary graduates enter a variety of professions. Many become ordained clergy persons and lead congregations or serve in ecclesial-affiliated organizations. Increasingly seminaries like Nazarene Theological Seminary provide education for an array of professionals seeking greater theological and ministerial formation, for personal or existential reasons, sometimes to support their work in other professional fields. Regardless of professional aspiration or calling, seminary graduates will need to have the practical wisdom to engage complex and multi-faceted contexts. A deeper awareness and a broader understanding of the cultural, social, and religious identities that constitute one's community and its place in a larger social-historical matrix will be essential for the graduate if she is to support the flourishing of that community/place.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on University Teachers?
Josh Sweden Ph.D.: As a North American seminary, our students are preparing for religious leadership in contexts that were already experiencing disequilibrium before the pandemic. Church engagement, finances, and practices are shifting rapidly. Some of this is good and long overdue. Still, it does mean that seminary graduates preparing for ecclesial ministry will need to have greater imagination and increased patience as new paradigms emerge amidst the old. Covid-19 has only exacerbated many of these impending shifts.
Jonathan Ruehs
Assistant Professor of TheologyChrist College at Concordia University
Center for Church Leadership
What type of skills will young University Teachers need?
Jonathan Ruehs: Young adults who are looking to enter into a full-time career in ministry will need to be workers with a broad range of skills. They will have to be able to understand how to interpret religious content (ex: the Bible), how to best communicate (ex: teaching and preaching) that information into the cultural groups they are working with, be able to provide distinctive spiritual care to a whole host of hurting people who come through their doors, understand how to best reach out to the community that they are in, as well as gain skills on how to run a non-profit organization, which includes leadership development, conflict resolution, fund-raising, and the ability to read and balance budgets.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for University Teachers to find work opportunities?
Jonathan Ruehs: Opportunities for ministry can be found all over the United States. Also, many religious institutions, like churches, have a hard time holding onto children and youth ministers. These positions tend to be the ones in high demand. These are also areas that need caring individuals who think long term.
How do you envision technology impacting University Teachers in the next 5 years?
Jonathan Ruehs: Given our current pandemic, we saw how churches across the nation quickly went online. Many churches had already been using this technology for worship, in particular, but many other churches had to quickly adapt to this new situation. We already see, as churches open up, that many people still want to stay at home and worship, whether that is due to lingering fear or comfortability with this new opportunity to watch church in their jammies. Yet, we have also seen that many people have "screen fatigue," especially if they have a job that requires them to sit in front of a computer for eight hours a day, and this means they desire to engage in face-to-face opportunities. What all this means is that hybridity is going to be the new ministry norm moving forward. While for some churches, this was their norm, I believe, for most churches, this will be their norm moving forward. I guess you could say that being tech-savvy is another important skill for future ministry leaders to have, or at least to have the smarts in knowing who in your religious organization has such skills and using them for the ministry.
John Collins Ph.D.
ProfessorYale University
Department of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for University Teachers to find work opportunities?
John Collins Ph.D.: Colleges and universities. The seminary market is declining. It is not easy.
How do you envision technology impacting University Teachers in the next 5 years?
John Collins Ph.D.: More and more. But students nowadays have no trouble with technology. The older professors are the ones with the problems.
Dr. K. Samuel Lee Ph.D.
Professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care, & CounselingClaremont School of Theology
Department of Theology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on University Teachers?
Dr. K. Samuel Lee Ph.D.: 1. Yes. How we go about doing academic and clinical training will have an enduring impact. Telehealth (and Zoom class) has gained popularity due to the pandemic. This will help counseling service be more widely available to persons in rural areas, persons without transportation, and persons in large metropolitan areas who have to drive long hours to receive counseling service. At the same time, persons who have no access to technology (elderly and other persons in our society) continue to be underserved.
2. Our students are now spread out during the pandemic season, across the USA and internationally, because they do not have to be physically on campus.
3. The pandemic has disclosed the socioeconomic disparity in more explicit ways, as indicated by the USA's ongoing protests. Our sociopolitical contexts cannot be ignored, even in the field of mental healthcare. Our faculty designated this academic year, during which time, we will understand what Black Lives Matter to use in our teaching and educational administration.
4. We are also rethinking what it means to provide care in a religious context. In a classic setting, religious rituals served a significant role, e.g., last rites or communion. With the pandemic, many pastors and theologians are rethinking these sacred rituals and alternative ways of implementing these rituals.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for University Teachers to find work opportunities?
Dr. K. Samuel Lee Ph.D.: The need for spiritual care and mental health care has increased due to the pandemic-related stresses: increased child abuse, domestic violence, and divorce. For example, many people have increased pressure from financial stress, isolation, and more. During this pandemic, we hunger for physical contacts, shared intimacy, and participation in communal activities. Our spiritual needs are more keenly felt. The demand for worshipping communities and spiritual care would increase, once the pandemic subsides.
Pastoral ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and counseling service sites will be in demand.