From 1958 to 1969, Fitzmyer taught New Testament and biblical languages at Woodstock College. From 1969 to 1971, he taught Aramaic and Hebrew at the University of Chicago and then New Testament and biblical languages at Fordham University (1971–1974), at Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1974–1976), and finally in the Department of Biblical Studies at The Catholic University of America (1976–1986) as Professor of New Testament until his retirement. His publications covered Scripture, theology, Christology, catechesis, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.