Career profile · 25-1071
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
What the work can involve
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for extensive preparation, often including advanced education and significant experience. A related certificate or associate program should not be treated as sufficient qualification.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Training and Teaching Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Thinking Creatively
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant266 institutions →
- Dental Assisting/Assistant586 institutions →
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist303 institutions →
- Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician30 institutions →
- Medical/Clinical Assistant1,159 institutions →
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant47 institutions →
- Occupational Therapist Assistant237 institutions →
- Pharmacy Technician/Assistant407 institutions →
- Cardiovascular Technology/Technologist96 institutions →
- Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician59 institutions →
- Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Technology/Technologist41 institutions →
- Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)710 institutions →
- Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist47 institutions →
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist195 institutions →
- Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist345 institutions →
- Surgical Technology/Technologist496 institutions →
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician314 institutions →
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer470 institutions →
- Physician Assistant7 institutions →
- Athletic Training/Trainer57 institutions →
- Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist4 institutions →
- Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician5 institutions →
- Polysomnography29 institutions →
- Mammography Technology/Technician33 institutions →
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/Technician72 institutions →
- Orthopedic Technology/Technician3 institutions →
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other56 institutions →
- Blood Bank Technology Specialist9 institutions →
- Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist4 institutions →
- Hematology Technology/Technician1 institutions →
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician305 institutions →
- Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist33 institutions →
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician3 institutions →
- Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist11 institutions →
- Histologic Technician22 institutions →
- Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist363 institutions →
- Renal/Dialysis Technologist/Technician22 institutions →
- Sterile Processing Technology/Technician110 institutions →
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions, Other23 institutions →
- Physical Therapy/Therapist7 institutions →
- Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy20 institutions →
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage422 institutions →
- Asian Bodywork Therapy4 institutions →
- Somatic Bodywork3 institutions →
- Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, Other2 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 75.9%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 67.2%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 46.0%08/2019 · sample 18 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 76.7%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Spend Time Sitting | More than half the time | 37.5%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 38.9%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Less than half the time | 40.3%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Time Pressure | Once a week or more but not every day | 46.3%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 45.2%08/2019 · sample 19 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 85.3%08/2019 · sample 19 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Analytical or scientific software: IBM SPSS Statistics, SAS
- Compliance software: Material safety data sheet MSDS software
- Computer based training software: Adobe Presenter, Articulate Rapid E-Learning Studio, Blackboard Learn, Course management system software
- Data base user interface and query software: Blackboard software, EcoLogic ADAM Indoor Air Quality and Analytical Data Management, Microsoft Access
- Electronic mail software: Email software, Microsoft Outlook
- Geographic information system: Geographic information system GIS software
- Graphics or photo imaging software: TechSmith Snagit
- Information retrieval or search software: DOC Cop, iParadigms Turnitin
- Internet browser software: Web browser software
- Medical software: Dental software, Electronic health record EHR software, Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS, InteractElsevier Netter's 3D Interactive Anatomy
- Multi-media educational software: Turning Technologies TurningPoint
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for health specialties teachers, postsecondary
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $92,310 | Not published | 3,360 |
| Alaska | $73,890 | Not published | Not published |
| Arizona | $99,000 | Not published | 3,620 |
| Arkansas | $124,890 | Not published | 2,080 |
| California | $165,110 | Not published | 17,350 |
| Colorado | $136,930 | Not published | 7,800 |
| Connecticut | Not published | Not published | 7,370 |
| Delaware | $105,780 | Not published | 260 |
| District of Columbia | $167,520 | Not published | 1,460 |
| Florida | $88,710 | Not published | 8,500 |
| Georgia | $106,960 | Not published | 4,860 |
| Hawaii | $81,480 | Not published | 290 |
| Idaho | $101,910 | Not published | Not published |
| Illinois | $92,860 | Not published | 7,740 |
| Indiana | $98,170 | Not published | 4,880 |
| Iowa | $128,490 | Not published | 3,230 |
| Kansas | $86,700 | Not published | 1,060 |
| Kentucky | $83,680 | Not published | 1,380 |
| Louisiana | $125,130 | Not published | 2,250 |
| Maine | $103,090 | Not published | 730 |
| Maryland | $108,160 | Not published | 7,460 |
| Massachusetts | $134,520 | Not published | 10,250 |
| Michigan | $108,970 | Not published | 3,430 |
| Minnesota | $103,510 | Not published | 3,050 |
| Mississippi | $137,220 | Not published | 1,890 |
| Missouri | $130,490 | Not published | 5,700 |
| Montana | $101,220 | Not published | 370 |
| Nebraska | $80,960 | Not published | 2,760 |
| Nevada | $77,160 | Not published | 1,230 |
| New Hampshire | $85,250 | Not published | 430 |
| New Jersey | $96,630 | Not published | 2,960 |
| New Mexico | $134,600 | Not published | 1,430 |
| New York | $131,220 | Not published | 21,410 |
| North Carolina | $103,220 | Not published | 9,240 |
| North Dakota | $100,760 | Not published | 510 |
| Ohio | $74,720 | Not published | 5,670 |
| Oklahoma | $76,450 | Not published | 950 |
| Oregon | $103,180 | Not published | 2,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $107,920 | Not published | 14,890 |
| Rhode Island | $103,780 | Not published | 480 |
| South Carolina | $82,480 | Not published | 1,030 |
| South Dakota | $78,720 | Not published | 270 |
| Tennessee | $98,870 | Not published | 4,400 |
| Texas | $108,150 | Not published | 18,960 |
| Utah | $168,060 | Not published | 3,520 |
| Vermont | $107,500 | Not published | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $106,880 | Not published | 5,040 |
| Washington | $137,520 | Not published | 4,510 |
| West Virginia | $60,300 | Not published | 2,400 |
| Wisconsin | $81,500 | Not published | 4,410 |
| Wyoming | $93,480 | Not published | 230 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 265 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
Related occupations to compare
- Anesthesiologist Assistants→
- Athletic Trainers→
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians→
- Cytogenetic Technologists→
- Cytotechnologists→
- Dental Assistants→
- Dental Hygienists→
- Dental Laboratory Technicians→
Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 25-1071.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.