Post job

How to hire an academic instructor

Academic instructor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring academic instructors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an academic instructor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new academic instructor to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an academic instructor, step by step

To hire an academic instructor, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire an academic instructor, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step academic instructor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an academic instructor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new academic instructor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an academic instructor do?

An academic instructor is responsible for all aspects of instruction and the students' learning experience. You will plan, prepare, and deliver lessons to your students and teach according to a student's educational needs, achievements, and abilities. In addition, you are expected to assess, record, and report the behavior, attainment, development, and progress of students. Other duties include promoting a student's well-being and progress in a certain course, guiding and advising students on social and educational matters, and ensuring to maintain high standards of teaching practice.

Learn more about the specifics of what an academic instructor does
jobs
Post an academic instructor job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the academic instructor you need to hire. Certain academic instructor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect academic instructor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of academic instructor salaries for various roles:

    Type of Academic InstructorDescriptionHourly rate
    Academic InstructorAdult literacy and high school equivalency diploma teachers instruct adults in basic skills, such as reading, writing, and speaking English. They also help students earn their high school equivalent diploma.$15-33
    Certified TeacherA certified teacher is responsible for designing lesson plans and activities for the students by following the curriculum and the students' learning needs. Certified teachers manage the coordination of the students within the classroom setting, observe their behaviors, and identify their areas of improvement by determining every student's strengths and weaknesses... Show more$17-32
    Summer School TeacherA Summer School Teacher is a teacher who works during the summer period. They develop and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives... Show more$17-36
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Mathematics
    • Language Arts
    • GED
    • Math
    • Classroom Management
    • Social Studies
    • Course Objectives
    • Classroom Environment
    • English Language
    • Student Learning
    • Student Training
    • Instructional Materials
    • Curriculum Development
    • Academic Training
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Tutor disabled students with English and grammar.
    • Talk to parents about tutoring services and ABA therapy.
    More academic instructor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your academic instructor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An academic instructor salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, academic instructors' average salary in oklahoma is 49% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level academic instructors earn 52% less than senior-level academic instructors.
    • Certifications. An academic instructor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an academic instructor's salary.

    Average academic instructor salary

    $48,371yearly

    $23.26 hourly rate

    Entry-level academic instructor salary
    $33,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average academic instructor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$64,103$31
    2New York$63,472$31
    3Maryland$53,762$26
    4New Jersey$48,137$23
    5Wisconsin$46,334$22
    6Illinois$45,321$22
    7Wyoming$44,741$22
    8Texas$44,651$21
    9Delaware$41,756$20
    10Florida$40,695$20
    11District of Columbia$40,454$19
    12Kentucky$38,193$18
    13Georgia$37,584$18
    14New Mexico$37,182$18
    15Utah$36,473$18
    16Colorado$36,288$17
    17Oklahoma$32,317$16

    Average academic instructor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1New Jersey Institute of Technology$62,060$29.8420
    2Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets$59,674$28.69
    3Zenetex$58,711$28.23
    4Stanford University$58,256$28.0125
    5Hemet Unified School District$57,368$27.588
    6Emory University$55,911$26.887
    7Massachusetts Institute of Technology$54,506$26.202
    8Culver City Unified School District$53,427$25.69
    9Santa Monica High School$52,501$25.245
    10Stockton University$52,238$25.114
    116K Systems$52,193$25.09
    12Georgia State University$49,739$23.9110
    13Chugach Alaska$48,623$23.381
    14MKS2 Technologies$48,358$23.25
    15Alutiiq$48,303$23.22
    16Job Corps$48,195$23.176
    17Big Thought$48,010$23.08
    18CAE$47,813$22.9926
    19Pico de Gallo$47,771$22.9772
    20University of Wyoming$46,793$22.504
  4. Writing an academic instructor job description

    A job description for an academic instructor role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an academic instructor job description:

    Academic instructor job description example

    Since it began operating in 1997, the See Forever Foundation's mission has been to create learning communities in lower-income urban areas where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, can succeed academically and socially. The Foundation operates the Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools in DC, as well as the Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings’ secure facility for committed youth in Laurel, MD. Our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change.

    If you are interested in learning more about, See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

    The Touchstone

    At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.

    Position Overview

    The Young Adult Learning Center (YALC) is seeking a Core Academic Instructor for the 2022-2023 school year. The YALC provides academic and workforce development to young adults between the ages of 17 and 24 who do not have a high school credential; there is a focus on those transitioning from incarceration. With the support of a special education teacher, this position will also support students with special learning or emotional needs to ensure that they receive the level of instruction that they need to enable them to succeed. Individualized Education Program (IEP) case management and coordination will be part of this employee’s responsibility, with the support of special education staff.

    Responsibilities

    The Core Academic Instructor (Mathematics and Science Focus) will be assigned to one or more of the following:

    • Developing and instructing the YALC’s project-based Foundations Course, which will consist of extensive life, social and employability skills coupled with applied academics
    • Developing curriculum and instructing students in Mathematics and Science to ensure basic proficiency and to prepare them for promotion to the GED course
    • Developing curriculum and instructing students in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies to ensure that students are prepared to take and pass the GED

    In addition, the Core Academic Instructor (Mathematics and Science Focus) will:

    • Assess individual learning styles and adapt teaching methods to fit
    • Create a classroom environment that features a rich diversity of resources, engages student interest, promotes student leadership, and stimulates student learning
    • Have thoughtful approaches to teaching concepts and sparking student interest while also imparting essential factual knowledge
    • Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings for all students
    • Model and contribute to a school culture of hope and high expectations for achievement
    • Perform other duties as assigned

    Qualifications

    • A Bachelor’s degree in education or a relevant field
    • Two years of teaching experience in alternative education settings
    • Eligibility for certification
    • Experience in developing curriculum
    • Experience working with at-risk youth and/or young adults
    • Familiarity with research-based instructional strategies

    Salary and Benefits

    Our salaries are comparable to those of other public schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, we offer a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, student loan refinancing options, and the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

    We are an equal-opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.

    To Apply

    If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter here:

    Powered by JazzHR

    ke Ax7HIM7X

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find academic instructors for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your academic instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit academic instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as k12jobspot, learn4good, serious teachers, teachingjobs.com.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit academic instructors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new academic instructor

    Once you've decided on a perfect academic instructor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new academic instructor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an academic instructor?

Hiring an academic instructor comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting academic instructors involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of academic instructor recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for academic instructors is $48,371 in the US. However, the cost of academic instructor hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring an academic instructor for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $15 and $33 an hour.

Find better academic instructors in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring academic instructors FAQs

Search for academic instructor jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse education, training, and library jobs