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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Median Salary
80,360
Job Outlook
-8%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 118,900 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$39,860

10%

$80,360

Median

$108,020

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Master's degree

    50%

  • Doctoral degree

    31%

  • Bachelor's degree

    13%

  • Associate's degree

    1%

  • Post-master's certificate

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Art/Art Studies, General
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General
  • Art Teacher Education
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
  • Musical Theatre
  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation
  • Music Teacher Education
  • Dance, General
  • Design and Visual Communications, General
  • Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other
  • Industrial and Product Design
  • Music Performance, General
  • Cinematography and Film/Video Production
  • Music, Other
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General
  • Music Pedagogy
  • Voice and Opera
  • Music Technology
  • Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General
  • Digital Arts
  • Commercial Photography
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Keyboard Instruments
  • Graphic Design
  • Intermedia/Multimedia
  • Fine and Studio Arts Management
  • Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
  • Film/Cinema/Media Studies
  • Fashion/Apparel Design
  • Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other
  • Visual and Performing Arts, Other
  • Photography
  • Music Management
  • Drama and Dance Teacher Education
  • Illustration
  • Painting
  • Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts
  • Jewelry Arts
  • Jazz/Jazz Studies
  • Acting
  • Music History, Literature, and Theory
  • Playwriting and Screenwriting
  • Costume Design
  • Directing and Theatrical Production
  • Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
  • Sculpture
  • Printmaking
  • Theatre/Theatre Arts Management
  • Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other
  • Musicology and Ethnomusicology
  • Dance, Other
  • Documentary Production
  • Drawing
  • Conducting
  • Stringed Instruments
  • Percussion Instruments
  • Theatre and Dance
  • Brass Instruments
  • Woodwind Instruments
  • Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
  • Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Other
  • Theatre Literature, History and Criticism
  • Comedy Writing and Performance
  • Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art
  • Ballet
  • Sound Arts
  • Metal Arts

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Fine Arts
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Philosophy and Theology
  • Communications and Media

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Responsibility

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.