Education & Childcare career

Health Sciences Professor

Also called: Health Specialties Professor · Medical School Faculty · Public Health Professor · Allied Health Professor

What health sciences professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a health sciences professor do?

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in health specialties such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, therapy and public health. The median pay is $107,310 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 8+ years, and employment is projected to grow +17.9% from 2025–35.

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

  • Median pay
    $107,310
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +17.9%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    24,900
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    8+ years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    278,400
    Employment, 2025

What health sciences professors do

Health sciences professors train the healthcare workforce. They teach in medical, dental, pharmacy, public health and allied health programs, supervise clinical training, research diseases and treatments, and often continue to practice. Many are physicians, pharmacists or therapists who also teach.

Most hold a doctoral or professional degree such as an MD, PharmD, DPT or Ph.D. BLS projects much faster than average growth as health programs expand.

Typical duties

  • Teach health science courses
  • Supervise clinical training
  • Conduct health research
  • Practice clinically
  • Mentor students
  • Write grants
  • Develop curricula

Work environment and schedule

Faculty work in classrooms, simulation labs, clinics and hospitals.

Schedule: Mix of teaching, clinical work and research; clinical duties can include long days.

A day in the life

  1. Supervise students at a clinic.
  2. Teach pharmacology.
  3. Meet a research team.
  4. Run a simulation lab.

See a full day in the life of a health sciences professor →

Health Sciences Professor salary

Half of health sciences professors earned more than $107,310 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $59,270 for the lowest 10% to $322,020 for the top 10%.

Full health sciences professor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a health sciences professor

  1. Earn a health professional degree
  2. Get licensed and practice
  3. Teach or precept
  4. Build research or teaching record
  5. Get hired

A doctoral or professional degree (MD, PharmD, DPT, Ph.D. and others) is typical, often with clinical licensure.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a health sciences professor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Clinical expertise
  • Curriculum design
  • Simulation teaching
  • Research
  • Assessment

People skills

  • Mentoring
  • Communication
  • Professionalism
  • Patience

All health sciences professor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Much faster-than-average growth
  • Combine teaching and practice
  • High pay
  • Train the next generation

Cons

  • Heavy workload
  • Clinical and academic demands
  • Accreditation requirements
  • Long training

Certifications and licenses

  • Professional license: Medicine, pharmacy, therapy and others.
  • Board certification: Specialty credential.
  • Health professions education certificate: Teaching training.
  • Research grants: NIH and others.

Career path

  1. Clinical Instructor: Teach part-time.
  2. Assistant Professor: Faculty.
  3. Associate Professor: Senior faculty.
  4. Program Director or Dean: Lead programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Health Sciences Professor training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a clinical simulation and precept a student in clinic, safety and how to land your first job.

View Health Sciences Professor trainingIs this career right for me?

Physician Assistant

Examine, diagnose and treat patients as part of a physician-led team.

  • $135,880
  • About 6–7 years after high school

Pharmacist

Dispense medications safely and help patients use them correctly.

  • $140,910
  • 6–8 years

Physical Therapist

Help people recover movement and manage pain after injury or illness.

  • $102,760
  • 7 years after high school

Compare: Health Sciences Professor vs. Nursing Instructor · Health Sciences Professor vs. Physician Assistant · Health Sciences Professor vs. Pharmacist · Health Sciences Professor vs. PT

Health Sciences Professor FAQ

Do health science professors practice clinically?

Many do part-time.

Is the field growing?

Yes, BLS projects much faster than average growth.

What degree is needed?

A doctoral or professional degree is typical.

How much does a health sciences professor make?

The median annual wage for health sciences professors was $107,310 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $59,270 and the highest 10% earned more than $322,020.

How long does it take to become a health sciences professor?

Most people need about 8+ years of training. A doctoral or professional degree (MD, PharmD, DPT, Ph.D. and others) is typical, often with clinical licensure.

Do you need a degree to be a health 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 and professional experience.

More health sciences professor questions →

Sources

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

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz