Earth Science Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Earth Science Teacher Education equips future educators with the specialized knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to teach earth science across K–12 educational settings. This program integrates core scientific disciplines with teaching methodologies to prepare professionals who can inspire student learning in dynamic, inquiry-based classrooms.
- Geology: The study of Earth's solid materials, rock formations, and the processes that shape the planet’s surface, including plate tectonics and volcanic activity.
- Atmospheric Science: An exploration of Earth’s atmosphere, covering weather patterns, climate systems, and the physical and chemical processes that drive atmospheric behavior.
- Oceanography: The scientific investigation of oceans, including marine ecosystems, ocean currents, seafloor topography, and the role of oceans in global climate regulation.
- Environmental Science: A multidisciplinary approach to understanding human impacts on natural systems, sustainability, resource management, and environmental policy.
- Earth System Science: An integrated perspective on how Earth’s interconnected components—lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere—interact over time.
- Science Pedagogy: Instructional strategies and curriculum development tailored to teaching earth science effectively, with an emphasis on inquiry learning, lab design, and student engagement.
Earth Science Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Earth Science Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Earth Science Teacher Education degrees, including Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,763,480 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Earth Science Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,233 in Oklahoma to $102,523 in California—a 93% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,763,480 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Earth Science Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 32 institutions offering Earth Science Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Earth Science Teacher Education is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (62 graduates), University of Utah (U of U) (28 graduates), State University of New York, New Paltz (12 graduates), SUNY Oneonta (8 graduates), and SUNY College, Potsdam (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 180 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
62 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Master's
|
28 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
|
4 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Master's
|
3 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Public | mnstate.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
2 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
1 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Roberts Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | roberts.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
1 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Utica University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
| University of Lynchburg |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | lynchburg.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Earth Science Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Earth Science Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Earth Science Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $101,390 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $102,523 compared to $53,233 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,763,480 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Earth Science Teacher Education programs?
Currently 32 accredited institutions offer Earth Science Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (62 graduates), University of Utah (U of U) (28 graduates), and State University of New York, New Paltz (12 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Earth Science Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 59 in 2010 to 180 in 2023-24. This represents a 205% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Earth Science Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,763,480 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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