History Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Adjunct History Instructor · Adjunct Instructor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · History Instructor · History Professor
Median pay (national)
$81,500
$47,730–$158,140 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
19,860
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.2%
~1,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for history teachers, postsecondary shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $158,140 versus $47,730 at the bottom 10% — 3.3x. The median of $81,500 leaves roughly 94% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $121,020, +48% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $47,570 — a 154% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Learning management system LMS, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to History Teachers, Postsecondary
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with History Teachers, Postsecondary
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
Tools & technology
- Learning management system LMS
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- JavaScript
- Blackboard Learn
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- Database software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Image scanning software
- iParadigms Turnitin
- Map building software
- Moodle
- Sakai CLE
Knowledge areas
- History and Archeology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
- Geography
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Computers and Electronics
- Philosophy and Theology