Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC code 25-1121 · O*NET-SOC 25-1121.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Education and library
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$78,620
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$94,700
— per hour
Middle 50%
$61,620 – $103,850
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$47,570 – $163,350
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
93,560
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $47,570
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $61,620
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $78,620
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $103,850
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $163,350
- —/hr
What do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Organize performance groups and direct their rehearsals.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 51% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree51%
- Doctoral Degree32%
- Bachelor's Degree14%
- Post-Master's Certificate2%
Common questions
How much does an art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn?
The national median is $78,620 a year. The full range runs from $47,570 at the 10th percentile to $163,350 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.6/5
- Learning Strategies4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Active Learning4.0/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Fine Arts4.9/5
- Education and Training4.7/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Communications and Media3.6/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- History and Archeology3.4/5
- Philosophy and Theology3.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Instructing, Social Perceptiveness.