Family and Consumer Sciences Professor Career Guide

What does a family and consumer sciences professor do?

Home economics teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in child care, family relations, finance, nutrition and related subjects. The median pay is $75,870 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$75,870
Annual salary · May 2025
Job growth
+2.4%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS classification
Time to train
6–8 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
3,400
Employment, 2025

What family and consumer sciences professors do

Family and consumer sciences professors teach practical life science. They teach child and human development, family relations, nutrition, apparel, housing and consumer finance, prepare future FCS teachers and extension educators, and research family well-being.

Most hold a Ph.D. in human development, nutrition or a related field; some programs hire with a master’s.

Typical duties

Teach FCS courses
Prepare future FCS teachers
Conduct family research
Supervise child lab schools
Mentor students
Work with extension programs
Develop courses

Work environment and schedule

Faculty work in classrooms, lab schools, kitchens and offices.

Schedule: Teaching and research with flexible hours.

A day in the life

9:00 AMTeach child development.
10:30 AMObserve students at the lab preschool.
12:00 PMMeet an extension educator.
2:00 PMTeach family finance.

See a full day in the life of a family and consumer sciences professor →

Family and Consumer Sciences Professor salary

Half of family and consumer sciences professors earned more than $75,870 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,830 for the lowest 10% to $130,790 for the top 10%.

$47,83010th$75,870Median$130,79090th

Full family and consumer sciences professor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a family and consumer sciences professor

Earn an FCS or related bachelor’s
Teach or work in extension
Earn a master’s
Earn a Ph.D.
Get hired

A Ph.D. in human development, family studies, nutrition or a related field is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a family and consumer sciences professor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Human development
Family studies
Nutrition basics
Consumer finance
Research

People skills

Empathy
Communication
Mentoring
Organization

All family and consumer sciences professor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Practical, life-changing subjects
Community outreach
Lab schools
Flexible schedule

Cons

Small field
Programs face cuts
Lower pay for academia
Few openings

Certifications and licenses

Ph.D.: Human development or related.
CFCS: Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences.
CFLE: Certified Family Life Educator.
Teaching license: For teacher prep faculty.

Career path

Instructor: Teach.
Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
Associate Professor: Tenure.
Professor or Chair: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Family and Consumer Sciences Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach a household budgeting simulation and supervise students in a lab preschool, safety and how to land your first job.

View Family and Consumer Sciences Professor training Is this career right for me?

Dietitian

Use food and nutrition to help people prevent and manage disease.

$76,400
Bachelor’s plus graduate program and supervised practice

Preschool Teacher

Teach young children through play, routines and early learning.

$38,140
6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate)

Childcare Worker

Care for children’s safety, learning and daily needs.

$34,980
1–4 weeks of required training

Education Professor

Prepare future teachers and research how people learn.

$75,350
8+ years including teaching

Compare: FCS Professor vs. Dietitian · FCS Professor vs. Preschool Teacher · FCS Professor vs. Childcare Worker · FCS Professor vs. Education Professor

Family and Consumer Sciences Professor FAQ

Is FCS the same as home economics?

Yes, it is the modern name.

What do FCS graduates do?

Teach, work in extension, child care, nutrition and family services.

Is the field small?

Yes, BLS counts a few thousand positions.

How much does a family and consumer sciences professor make?

The median annual wage for family and consumer sciences professors was $75,870 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,830 and the highest 10% earned more than $130,790.

How long does it take to become a family and consumer sciences professor?

Most people need about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in human development, family studies, nutrition or a related field is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a family and consumer sciences professor?

Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a doctorate, while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.

More family and consumer sciences professor questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1192 (Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Family and Consumer Sciences Professor