Highest-Paying Instructor Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of instructors that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of instructors:

• Language Instructor is the highest-paid type of instructor with an average salary of $57,946 and an average hourly rate of $27.86.

• The second highest-paying type of instructor is adjunct english instructor, with an average salary of $55,901.

• The average instructor salary is $53,426 per year, and the average hourly pay is $25.69.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an instructor, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of instructors are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of instructors:

1. Language Instructor

   Average Salary: $57,946

   A language instructor is responsible for teaching the students to master a specific language, both written and oral instructions, as well as its structure, development, and history. Language instructors prepare engaging lesson plans and educational materials for the students’ easy comprehension. They evaluate the students’ progress by conducting assessments, identifying areas of improvement, and adjusting teaching strategies to address those difficulties. A language instructor must have extensive knowledge of their language expertise, responding to the students’ inquiries and concerns accurately.

2. Adjunct English Instructor

   Average Salary: $55,901

   An Adjunct English Instructor prepares and distributes a departmental syllabus that informs students about course requirements, testing assignments, and other pertinent information. They maintain necessary records about student performance and submit reports in a timely manner.

3. Instructor Of Spanish

   Average Salary: $54,930

   A Spanish Instructor specializes in teaching the Spanish language in a classroom or one-on-one setting. Their responsibilities typically include preparing lesson plans according to the students’ needs and capacity, researching and creating learning materials, facilitating discussions, conducting quizzes and examinations, organizing activities to enhance their language skills, grading the students’ performances, and assisting students as necessary. Spanish Instructors monitor the students’ progress while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.

4. English Instructor

   Average Salary: $53,915

   An English instructor is responsible for teaching the learners everything about language and literature, including the English language’s disciplines, nature, and history. English instructors monitor the students writing and listening skills, reading comprehension, and confidence in public speaking, identifying their learning challenges, evaluating their progress, and assessing their knowledge by conducting a series of tests and activities that would practice their capabilities. An English instructor must have excellent knowledge of the teaching principles, as well as expertise of the English language to support the students throughout the learning process.

5. Communications Instructor

   Average Salary: $53,529

Below is a full table of the average pay for various instructor that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Instructors

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for instructors.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Instructor Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid instructor job?

   The highest-paid instructor job is a language instructor. Language Instructors earn an average salary of $57,946, which is $ 27.86 hourly.

   A language instructor is responsible for teaching the students to master a specific language, both written and oral instructions, as well as its structure, development, and history. Language instructors prepare engaging lesson plans and educational materials for the students’ easy comprehension. They evaluate the students’ progress by conducting assessments, identifying areas of improvement, and adjusting teaching strategies to address those difficulties. A language instructor must have extensive knowledge of their language expertise, responding to the students’ inquiries and concerns accurately.

2. What is a good salary for an instructor?

   A good salary for an instructor is $53,426 or more. The average instructor salary is $53,426, so those making at least $53,426 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average instructor salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an instructor, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $53,426 average, as this includes all instructors of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Instructor jobs pay well?

   Yes, instructor jobs pay well. As in any industry, some instructor jobs pay better than others, but the average instructor salary of $53,426 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many instructor jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of instructors earning $0 a year on average.

   Instructors’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an instructor. Do your research on the going rate for an instructor in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do instructors get paid the most?

   Instructors get paid the most in New York. In New York, instructors earn an average annual salary of $73,285 and an average hourly wage of $35.23.

   Following NY, the states with the highest-paid instructors are New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $70,786, $74,052, and $73,481 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid instructor salaries are:

   1. New York, NY – $73,515

   2. Worcester, MA – $73,463

   3. Philadelphia, PA – $70,994

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.