Highest-Paying Instructor Jobs in 2026
Research Summary. Leveraging a combination of public government data, company reports, and insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has developed updated average salary estimates for instructor roles across the United States. This research highlights the highest-paying instructor positions based on their average annual compensation.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of instructors in 2026:
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Language Instructor ranks as the highest-paid instructor, with an average salary of $60,000 and an average hourly rate of $28.85.
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The second highest-paying instructor role is Adjunct English Instructor, earning an average of $58,000.
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The overall average salary for instructors is $55,000 per year, with an average hourly pay of $26.44.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary should not be the sole factor in your decision, it plays a crucial role. If you’re aspiring to work as an instructor, understanding the highest-paying roles can help you strategically plan your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various types of instructors:
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Language Instructor
Average Salary: $60,000
A Language Instructor teaches students to master a specific language, encompassing both written and oral skills, as well as its structure and context. They create engaging lesson plans and materials, assess student progress, and adapt teaching strategies to meet individual needs.
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Adjunct English Instructor
Average Salary: $58,000
An Adjunct English Instructor develops and disseminates a syllabus that outlines course requirements and assessments, maintaining accurate records of student performance and submitting timely reports.
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Instructor of Spanish
Average Salary: $56,000
A Spanish Instructor focuses on teaching the Spanish language in various settings. Their duties include creating lesson plans, conducting assessments, facilitating discussions, and providing individualized support to enhance students’ language skills.
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English Instructor
Average Salary: $55,500
An English Instructor teaches language and literature, fostering skills in writing, reading comprehension, and public speaking. They monitor student progress through assessments and provide targeted support to enhance learning outcomes.
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Communications Instructor
Average Salary: $54,000
Communications Instructors teach students effective communication strategies and skills, preparing students for success in various personal and professional contexts.
Below is a complete table of the average salaries for various instructor roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types of Instructors
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Language Instructor | |
| 2 | Adjunct English Instructor | |
| 3 | Instructor of Spanish | |
| 4 | English Instructor | |
| 5 | Communications Instructor | |
| 6 | ESL Instructor | |
| 7 | Coach/Instructor | |
| 8 | Adjunct Instructor | |
| 9 | Mathematics Instructor | |
| 10 | Associate Instructor | |
| 11 | College Instructor | |
| 12 | Laboratory Instructor | |
| 13 | Student Instructor | |
| 14 | Course Instructor | |
| 15 | Science Instructor | |
| 16 | Cosmetology Instructor | |
| 17 | Program Instructor | |
| 18 | Education Instructor | |
| 19 | Art Instructor | |
| 20 | Learning Center Instructor |
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from government agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to formulate salary estimates.
Additionally, our data science team verifies job postings and company resources to provide current salary information for instructors.
After gathering the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title for which they estimate a salary. For further details on our salary estimates, you can review our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types of Instructor Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid instructor job?
The highest-paid instructor job is a language instructor. Language Instructors earn an average salary of $60,000, translating to approximately $28.85 hourly.
A Language Instructor is tasked with teaching students to master a specific language through both written and oral instructions, as well as its structure and history. They prepare engaging lesson plans and educational materials, evaluate student progress through assessments, and adjust teaching strategies as needed.
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What is a good salary for an instructor?
A good salary for an instructor is $55,000 or more. The average instructor salary stands at $55,000, indicating that those earning this amount or higher are receiving above-average paychecks.
However, it’s essential to note that instructor salaries can vary significantly by location, as companies often adjust their pay scales according to the cost of living. Researching the average salary for your region, considering your expertise and experience, will provide a clearer picture of how competitive your compensation is.
If you are starting your career as an instructor, keep in mind that entry-level salaries may be lower, so it’s crucial not to base your expectations solely on the average figure.
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Do instructor jobs pay well?
Yes, instructor jobs generally pay well. While some roles within the field of instruction offer higher salaries than others, the average instructor salary of $55,000 significantly exceeds the national average salary of about $48,000 per year.
Additionally, many instructor positions come with substantial earning potential, particularly in specialized fields, where the top 10% can earn significantly more.
Instructor salaries will fluctuate based on experience, industry, and geographic location. It’s advisable to conduct thorough research on prevailing salaries in your area before engaging in salary negotiations.
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Where do instructors get paid the most?
Instructors earn the most in New York. In New York, instructors enjoy an average annual salary of $75,000 and an hourly wage of $36.06.
Following New York, states with the highest-paying instructor roles include New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California, with average annual salaries of $73,000, $72,500, and $70,500, respectively.
The cities with the highest instructor salaries are:
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New York, NY – $75,000
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Worcester, MA – $74,500
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Philadelphia, PA – $71,500
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
