How to Hire a Family and Consumer Sciences Professor

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

The hiring market for family and consumer sciences professors

There are about 3,400 family and consumer sciences professors employed in the U.S., with roughly 200 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.4% from 2025–35 (slower than average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.

Pay benchmarks for offers

*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.

What to look for

Where to find family and consumer sciences professors

• College education programs and student-teaching placements
• Alternative certification and residency programs
• Substitute and paraprofessional pools
• Community colleges with early childhood (CDA) programs
• Job postings that use common alternate titles: Human Development Professor, Nutrition and Family Studies Professor, Home Economics Professor, Consumer Sciences Faculty

Screening checklist

• State license or certification verification where required
• Fingerprint background checks and child abuse registry clearances
• CPR and first aid certification for childcare roles
• A sample lesson or classroom observation

Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.

1. “Describe your research.”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

2. “What courses can you teach?”

What a strong answer includes: List.

3. “How do you prepare FCS teachers?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

4. “Describe your extension work.”

What a strong answer includes: Share.

5. “How do you mentor?”

What a strong answer includes: Share.

Practical skills checks

A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:

• Teach a Household Budgeting Simulation (see the steps)
• Supervise Students in a Lab Preschool (see the steps)
• Partner with Cooperative Extension (see the steps)

Red flags

• Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
• Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
• Unfamiliar with core terms such as FCS, Human development, Family systems
• Negative talk about every past employer or coworker

Onboard for retention

The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Family and Consumer Sciences Professor 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Family and Consumer Sciences Professor training. Show them the path forward: Instructor → Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor or Chair.

Hiring family and consumer sciences professors: FAQ

How much should I pay a family and consumer sciences professor?

The U.S. median wage for family and consumer sciences professors is $75,870 per year, according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($57,410), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($99,320). Adjust for your local market.

What qualifications should a family and consumer sciences professor have?

BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Ph.D. and CFCS where relevant, plus skills such as human development, family studies, and nutrition basics.

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

Becoming qualified typically takes 6–8 years after a bachelor’s. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”