Chemistry teacher secondary school
Also known as: chemistry studies high school teacher, chemistry tutor secondary school, chemistry studies teacher in secondary school, teacher of chemistry in secondary schools, secondary school chemistry tutor, secondary school teacher of chemistry
About this occupation
Chemistry teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, chemistry. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the studentsâ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the studentsâ knowledge and performance on the subject of chemistry through assignments, tests and examinations.
A specialisation of secondary school teacher.
Essential skills and knowledge
- apply teaching strategies
- demonstrate when teaching
- adapt teaching to student's capabilities
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- chemistry
- assist students in their learning
- perform classroom management
- manage student relationships
- give constructive feedback
- curriculum objectives
- teach chemistry
- liaise with educational staff
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1052.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical separation.
- Establish, teach, and monitor students' compliance with safety rules for handling chemicals, equipment, and other hazardous materials.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory performance, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Social, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking, Active Listening, Science, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$93,250 a year (2025), 19,980 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryExtremely important (4.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsExtremely important (4.5)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.6)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- 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.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Chemists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.