Career comparison
Earth Sciences Professor vs. Environmental Science Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Earth sciences professors earn more at the median ($103,170 vs. $94,980), while earth sciences professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Earth sciences professors teach geology, oceans, weather and space science at the college level. Environmental science professors teach how people and the environment interact, and how to protect it.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Earth Sciences Professor | Environmental Science Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $103,170 | $94,980 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $59,700 – $203,190 | $57,780 – $164,190 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.4% (slower than average) | +2.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in earth science | Ph.D. in environmental science |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, labs, field sites and sometimes on ships.. | Faculty work in classrooms, labs and field sites.. |
What each job does
Earth Sciences Professor
- Teach earth science courses
- Lead field trips
- Conduct research
- Analyze field and lab data
- Mentor students
Environmental Science Professor
- Teach environmental science courses
- Lead field sampling labs
- Conduct research
- Partner with communities and agencies
- Mentor students
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, working independently, problem-solving, and high-pay. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose earth sciences professor if…
- I love rocks, oceans or weather
- I enjoy field trips
- I like data
Choose environmental science professor if…
- I care about the environment
- I like field research
- I enjoy teaching
Still torn? Take the Earth Sciences Professor fit quiz and the Environmental Science Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, earth sciences professor or environmental science professor?
Earth Sciences Professors earn more at the median: $103,170 versus $94,980 for environmental science professors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Earth Sciences Professors typically train faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s) than environmental science professors (5–7 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects environmental science professors to grow +2.7% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for earth sciences professors.