How much does a biological science teacher make?
The median biological science teacher in the United States earns $83,460 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all biological science teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 25-1042.
Biological science teacher salary range
Pay for biological science teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $169,560. The average (mean) wage of $101,340 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,760 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $64,010 | |
| Median (50th) | $83,460 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $125,310 | |
| 90th percentile | $169,560 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for biological science teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Biological science teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Biological science teachers earn the most in California at $125,670 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $64,340. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $125,670 | 3,670 |
| Alaska | $107,230 | 60 |
| Utah | $103,830 | 610 |
| Rhode Island | $101,800 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $100,870 | 1,330 |
| Michigan | $100,110 | 1,520 |
| New York | $100,110 | 3,900 |
| Montana | $97,620 | 160 |
| Oregon | $97,520 | 590 |
| New Hampshire | $85,980 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $85,310 | 730 |
| North Dakota | $84,750 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $84,560 | 340 |
| Minnesota | $84,310 | 800 |
| Nebraska | $84,110 | 460 |
| Texas | $83,760 | 4,240 |
| Florida | $83,740 | 3,090 |
| Illinois | $83,580 | 1,700 |
| Massachusetts | $83,560 | N/A |
| Missouri | $83,170 | 1,120 |
| Indiana | $82,220 | 1,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,760 | 2,570 |
| Wisconsin | $81,740 | 830 |
| New Mexico | $81,700 | 180 |
| Maryland | $81,630 | 990 |
| Georgia | $81,540 | 1,080 |
| Maine | $81,290 | 320 |
| Idaho | $81,180 | 240 |
| Washington | $81,050 | 910 |
| Vermont | $80,700 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $80,610 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $80,190 | 970 |
| Kansas | $80,120 | 420 |
| Nevada | $79,870 | 340 |
| Delaware | $79,850 | 140 |
| Wyoming | $79,820 | 140 |
| Colorado | $79,760 | 840 |
| South Dakota | $79,430 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $79,160 | 1,970 |
| South Carolina | $78,620 | 830 |
| Iowa | $78,400 | 580 |
| Virginia | $77,980 | 1,890 |
| Alabama | $77,940 | 1,170 |
| Arizona | $77,650 | 2,520 |
| West Virginia | $77,020 | 250 |
| Hawaii | $76,260 | N/A |
| Ohio | $75,320 | 1,350 |
| Kentucky | $67,110 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $66,960 | 520 |
| Arkansas | $64,610 | 370 |
| Oklahoma | $64,340 | 450 |
State median wages for biological science teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for biological science teachers
The BLS projects employment of biological science teachers to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 62,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 66,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,700 openings a year for biological science teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a biological science teacher
The typical entry-level education for biological science teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a biological science teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $125,670) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $64,340) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 53,250 people work as biological science teachers in the United States. At $83,460 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Biological science teacher salary FAQ
How much does a biological science teacher make an hour?
Biological science teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $83,460.
What is the highest biological science teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of biological science teachers earn more than $169,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a biological science teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a biological science teacher is $83,460. The average (mean) wage of $101,340 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a biological science teacher a well paid job?
At $83,460 a year, a biological science teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 53,250 people work as biological science teachers in the United States.
Which state pays biological science teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for biological science teachers at $125,670 a year. Alaska ($107,230) and Utah ($103,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a biological science teacher a good career?
Employment of biological science teachers is projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a biological science teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for biological science teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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