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Science Teacher

Teaches biology, chemistry and physics to secondary school pupils, planning lessons, running practicals and tracking each pupil's progress.

Science teachers work in secondary schools and sixth form colleges, often teaching all three sciences to younger pupils and their own subject to older ones. It suits people who enjoy explaining ideas, can keep a class on task and like the variety of a school day.

Also called Biology teacher, Secondary school teacher or Science educator.

At a glance

Way in
Bachelor's degree, often in biology, chemistry, physics, biomedical science and science education
Pay in the US
$72,040 a year, the medianFor secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, 2025
Pay in the UK
£34,000 starting to £53,000 with experienceFor a secondary school teacher, the nearest National Careers Service profile
US outlook
Little or no change, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You enjoy explaining science and have the patience to help every pupil keep up.

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does a science teacher do?

  • Plan lessons and practical work that fit the curriculum and the class in front of you.
  • Teach whole classes and small groups, adapting for pupils who need extra support.
  • Mark work, give feedback and report progress to parents and carers.
  • Run lab practicals safely, with risk assessments and help from technicians.
  • Prepare pupils for exams and lead revision sessions or science clubs.

Where they work

  • Secondary schools
  • Sixth form colleges
  • Special schools
  • International schools

Skills

The skills a science teacher needs

  • Subject knowledgesecure understanding across biology, chemistry and physics
  • Explainingbreaking hard ideas into clear, small steps
  • Classroom managementkeeping lessons calm, safe and on track
  • Planningsequencing topics and preparing materials ahead
  • Safeguardingfollowing procedures that keep children safe
  • Lab safetyrunning practicals with chemicals and equipment

Route in

How to become a science teacher

  1. Take a degree in a science subject or a closely related field.
  2. Gain classroom experience, for example by volunteering or helping in a school.
  3. Complete teacher training, such as a PGCE or a school-based training route.
  4. Gain qualified teacher status or a teaching licence, then complete an induction period as a new teacher.

Degrees people take

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Biomedical science
  • Science education

In England, you need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in most state schools. In the US, each state sets its own teaching licence rules.

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

Also on biofideX

Next to it

Careers to weigh against it

Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

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