Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary score 52 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #190 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 25 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 6 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 9 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

52/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #190of 923 jobs
US workers: 6,690BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $94,980a year
In real AI use: 9 of 25tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 6 (24%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (52%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 6 (24%)

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write letters of recommendation for students.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review papers or serve on editorial boards for scientific journals, and review grant proposals for various agencies.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as hazardous waste management, industrial safety, and environmental toxicology.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Supervise students' laboratory and field work.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Act as advisers to student organizations.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Participate in campus and community events.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about environmental science teachers, postsecondary and AI

Will AI replace environmental science teachers, postsecondary?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary score 52 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #190 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 19 of the job's 25 tasks, 6 of them on its own, while 6 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which environmental science teachers, postsecondary tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts"; "Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records"; "Write letters of recommendation for students".

Which environmental science teachers, postsecondary tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Supervise students' laboratory and field work"; "Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions"; "Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 9 of the 25 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as environmental science teachers, postsecondary, and what do they earn?

About 6,690 people in the US, with median pay of $94,980 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.