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ConstructionTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Engineering Instructor, Postsecondary

Teaches courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Annual openings

233

Median wage

$104,070

Typical education

Doctoral degree

Growth 2024–2034

+8%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Doctoral degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Experience detail

A minimum of 5 years of Engineering experience is expected.

Work-based learning

Engineering Instructors may be part-time or full-time, which impacts their focus areas and time spent on instruction, fieldwork supervision, advising, service, and research.

Employer competency information

  • ● Communication - Be perceptive and responsive listeners, able to communicate with students in a variety of ways; help students to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively ● Instruction & Customer Service - Know and demonstrate knowledge of the content being taught, making the instruction and content relevant to students while fostering a positive learning environment and adjusting instructional approaches as needed ● Psychology - Able to understand what motivates students to learn and feel valued and the ability to provide learning opportunities that meets those motivations ● Administration & Management - Able to manage interaction in the classroom and meet learning objectives across a semester ● Reading - Able to read, summarize, and communicate complex documents in relatable terms.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

A typical day

  1. Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  2. Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  3. Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  4. Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  5. Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  6. Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
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