Education & Library
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Also called: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor), Computer Science Instructor
US median pay
$96,980
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
3,200
43,900 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
What they do day to day
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing4.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Systems Analysis3.4/5
- Systems Evaluation3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics4.8/5
- Education and Training4.8/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Engineering and Technology3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Master's degree47%
- Doctoral degree42%
- Bachelor's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.