Biology teacher

Biology teacher

Sample Subheading

Also known as: science teacher, secondary teacher, teacher, biology instructor, instructor

Behind every doctor, nurse, and scientist is a biology teacher who lit the spark. This career puts you at the frontline of shaping the next generation of scientific minds. You'll dissect ideas, grow curiosity, and plant seeds of knowledge that last a lifetime. Teaching biology isn't just a job—it's a legacy.

Duties

  • Prepare and deliver biology lectures Lead classes where you explain biological concepts, facilitate student discussions, and show how things work through hands-on demonstrations and experiments.
  • Assess student learning Design quizzes, tests, labs, and homework to check how well students understand biology topics, then provide feedback on their work.
  • Design and run lab activities Setting up experiments and hands-on activities that let students observe living things, ask questions, and discover answers through investigation.
  • Support and guide students Assist students who need extra help, initiate and facilitate classroom discussions, and advise students on academic questions related to the course.
  • Develop and revise course materials Plan, evaluate, and update the curriculum, syllabi, homework, and instructional methods to keep lessons current and effective.

Education

Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s degree

Most common program: Biology

Salary

  • Entry level: 47330
  • Mid level: 64580
  • Senior level: 104670

Job outlook

Job openings: 66200

Demand: Steady decline

  • Persistent science teacher gaps span nearly every state in the nation. (41 states reported science teacher shortages in 2025.)
  • Education salaries outpace the national median for all occupations. (Median annual wage for high school teachers in May 2024 was $64,580.)
  • Rising college enrollment fueling demand for postsecondary bio professors. (Postsecondary teacher employment is projected to grow by 7% in the next decade (2024-2034).)

Related careers

Sources

. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). High school teachers. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. , Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Postsecondary teachers. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. , Learning Policy Institute. (2025, January). Overview of teacher shortages in 2025 [Fact sheet]. Morrell, P., Park Rogers, M., Pyle, E., Roehrig, G., & Veal, W. (2020). 2020 NSTA/ASTE standards for science teacher preparation.. National Science Teaching Association. , National Science Teaching Association. (n.d.). NSTA standards for science teacher preparation.,  O*NET OnLine. (n.d.). Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education. U.S. Department of Labor. , Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). Biology. Oxford University Press.