Postsecondary Teachers
Overall Exposure
2025 vs 2023
Theoretical Exposure
66What AI could do
Observed Exposure
30What AI actually does
Automation Risk Score
22Displacement risk
3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)
Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.
Overall Exposure
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Theoretical Exposure
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Observed Exposure
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Automation Risk
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)
Task Breakdown
About This Occupation
If you work as a Postsecondary Teachers, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 22/100 and overall exposure at 46%, this role faces moderate transformation. The highest-impact area is grade assignments at 55% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +8% growth through 2034. Professionals who embrace AI tools will see their capabilities significantly amplified.
ISCO-08 classification
University and Higher Education Teachers
Indirect mapping — this occupation is linked to the ISCO unit group by a rule-based fallback.
Definition
ILO original text (English)
University and higher education teachers prepare and deliver lectures and conduct tutorials in one or more subjects within a prescribed course of study at a university or other higher educational institution. They conduct research, and prepare scholarly papers and books.
Definition & vocabulary source
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure
License: ILO CC BY 4.0
Official occupational information
- ONET25-1022.00
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
View original - ONET25-1032.00
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach 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.
View original - ONET25-1064.00
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
View original - ONET25-1067.00
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
View original - ONET25-1071.00
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
View original - ONET25-1082.00
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in library science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
View original - ONET25-1112.00
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
View original - ONET25-1121.00
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
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.
View original - ONET25-1192.00
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in childcare, family relations, finance, nutrition, and related subjects pertaining to home management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
View original - ONET25-9044.00
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
Assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing instructional support activities, such as developing teaching materials, leading discussion groups, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers.
View original
Frequently Asked Questions
With an automation risk score of 22%, Postsecondary Teachers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.
Our estimated AI automation risk score for Postsecondary Teachers is 22% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 46%, with 66% theoretical exposure and 30% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +7 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.
The tasks with the highest automation potential for Postsecondary Teachers are: Grade assignments (55%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.
We estimate a +8% employment change for Postsecondary Teachers between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 46%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.
Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Postsecondary Teachers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.
Recent AI Impact Changes
Mar 2026: New evergreen blog post published analyzing AI impact on college professors with 46% exposure and 22% automation risk
[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]