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What is an academic instructor and how to become one
An academic instructor is a teacher who instructs students on various subjects, depending upon the instructor's focus and expertise. These professionals prepare lectures and lesson plans and evaluate the progress of student knowledge with quizzes, exams, and papers. Academic instructors assess, record, and establish goals for student progress and work to ensure that each student understands the material and succeeds academically.
Academic instructors work in a variety of classroom settings, from elementary schools to universities, and typically work during normal school hours. They teach according to the educational needs and abilities of each student, assign work, grade papers, tests, and assignments, and offer advice to students on educational and career goals.
Academic instructors possess excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and public speaking skills and should be comfortable with various forms of instructional media, including computers and video equipment.
Most academic instructors have a bachelor's in the area in which they teach, such as education, chemistry, or early childhood education, and in the US must have a teaching license if working in a K-12 school. However, for those individuals who have comparable knowledge or experience, alternative licensing is available.
Depending on the subject and the school, academic instructors can make up to $49,000 a year, but the career field in the US is expected to drop 10% by 2028.
What general advice would you give to an Academic Instructor?
Rodney Foster
Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College
Avg. Salary $48,371
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate -6%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.53%
Asian 6.92%
Black or African American 11.99%
Hispanic or Latino 14.81%
Unknown 5.68%
White 60.08%
Genderfemale 53.16%
male 46.84%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Academic Instructor career paths
Key steps to become an academic instructor
Explore academic instructor education requirements
Start to develop specific academic instructor skills
Skills Percentages Mathematics 15.02% Language Arts 9.13% GED 8.97% Math 8.69% Classroom Management 8.31% Complete relevant academic instructor training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New academic instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an academic instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real academic instructor resumes.Research academic instructor duties and responsibilities
- Oversee benchmark testing procedures including: scheduling, managing and ensuring test procedures mirror the TAKS testing procedures and policies.
- Utilize training in medical English to facilitate preparation of study and achieve require educational standards necessary to successfully complete course.
- Differentiate instruction according to students' ability, prior knowledge, and IEP requirements.
- Research and write study companions for students on Shakespeare, and other works of literature.
Prepare your academic instructor resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your academic instructor resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an academic instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Academic Instructor Resume templates
Build a professional Academic Instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Academic Instructor resume.
Apply for academic instructor jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an academic instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Academic Instructor Job
Are you an Academic Instructor?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average academic instructor salary
The average Academic Instructor salary in the United States is $48,371 per year or $23 per hour. Academic instructor salaries range between $33,000 and $69,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do academic instructors rate their job?
Academic Instructor reviews
The transfer of knowledge and the joy on the student's face when they understand
The low pay which is often offered
Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days
Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance
Some students' non-challant attitude towards learning.
Ability to share knowledge and guide students in learning new things.
Updated January 8, 2025
