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 mentors that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of mentors:
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Vocational Training Instructor is the highest-paid type of mentor with an average salary of $56,294 and an average hourly rate of $27.06.
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The second highest-paying type of mentor is instructor, with an average salary of $53,426.
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The average mentor salary is $35,581 per year, and the average hourly pay is $17.11.
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 a mentor, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of mentors are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of mentors:
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Vocational Training Instructor
Average Salary: $56,294
A vocational training instructor is responsible for teaching students with the subject expertise needed to land a job for a specific industry requirement. Vocational training instructors are the same as regular instructors as they also identify the students’ strengths and weaknesses, manage their learning expectations, and develop personalized teaching plans to address difficulties. They conduct examinations and regular assessments to test the students’ knowledge and learning, which is crucial to determine their level of moving up.
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Instructor
Average Salary: $53,426
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Lead Instructor
Average Salary: $50,221
A lead instructor’s responsibilities vary depending on the line of work or industry. Most of the time, a lead instructor must devise plans and strategies on educating students or trainees on a particular subject. Aside from providing various learning materials, one must also conduct different assessment activities ranging from oral, written, or practical tests and grade them accordingly. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a healthy and safe environment for students, prioritizing everyone’s interpersonal and academic progress throughout the school year or course.
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Mentor Teacher
Average Salary: $48,261
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Online Instructor
Average Salary: $45,114
An Online Instructor teaches remote post-secondary classes through the use of email, discussion pages, and video. They develop a curriculum based on the best knowledge in the field.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various mentor that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Mentors
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vocational Training Instructor | |
| 2 | Instructor | |
| 3 | Lead Instructor | |
| 4 | Mentor Teacher | |
| 5 | Online Instructor | |
| 6 | Presenter | |
| 7 | Teacher/Tutor | |
| 8 | Certified Substitute Teacher | |
| 9 | Instructor/Tutor | |
| 10 | Per Diem Substitute Teacher | |
| 11 | Substitute Instructor | |
| 12 | Student Mentor | |
| 13 | Substitute Teacher | |
| 14 | Youth Mentor | |
| 15 | Guest Teacher | |
| 16 | Supplemental Instructor | |
| 17 | Educational Aid | |
| 18 | Building Substitute Teacher | |
| 19 | Peer Mentor | |
| 20 | Academic Mentor |
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 mentors.
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 Mentor Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid mentor job?
The highest-paid mentor job is a vocational training instructor. Vocational Training Instructors earn an average salary of $56,294, which is $ 27.06 hourly.
A vocational training instructor is responsible for teaching students with the subject expertise needed to land a job for a specific industry requirement. Vocational training instructors are the same as regular instructors as they also identify the students’ strengths and weaknesses, manage their learning expectations, and develop personalized teaching plans to address difficulties. They conduct examinations and regular assessments to test the students’ knowledge and learning, which is crucial to determine their level of moving up.
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What is a good salary for a mentor?
A good salary for a mentor is $35,581 or more. The average mentor salary is $35,581, so those making at least $35,581 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average mentor 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 a mentor, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $35,581 average, as this includes all mentors of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Mentor jobs pay well?
No, mentor jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some mentor jobs pay better than others, but the average mentor salary of $35,581 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many mentor jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of mentors earning $0 a year on average.
Mentors’ 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 a mentor. Do your research on the going rate for a mentor in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do mentors get paid the most?
Mentors get paid the most in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, mentors earn an average annual salary of $48,618 and an average hourly wage of $23.37.
Following MA, the states with the highest-paid mentors are New York, West Virginia, and Delaware, with average annual salaries of $52,139, $48,730, and $46,880 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid mentor salaries are:
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Reston, VA – $55,154
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New York, NY – $52,658
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Washington, DC – $50,938
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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.
