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The average salary for an Associate Instructor stands at $50,999 per year. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution. For example, instructors in urban areas often command higher salaries due to the increased cost of living and demand for education professionals.
In addition to base pay, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans can enhance overall compensation. Individuals entering this field may start at a lower salary, but with experience, they can expect substantial increases. It’s essential to explore opportunities in different states and cities, as some locations offer higher pay scales.
The demand for Associate Instructors continues to grow, particularly in community colleges and online education platforms. As education evolves, positions in specialized fields such as technology and health sciences are expanding, presenting opportunities for career advancement.
For those considering a career as an Associate Instructor, understanding salary trends and job prospects is crucial. Researching specific roles and their requirements can help align your career goals with the right opportunities.
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The highest-paying states for associate instructors are California, Mississippi, and Oregon. The lowest average associate instructor salary states are Kentucky, Washington, and West Virginia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $61,913 | $29.77 |
| 2 | Oregon | $53,976 | $25.95 |
| 3 | Nevada | $50,164 | $24.12 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $55,024 | $26.45 |
| 5 | North Carolina | $45,428 | $21.84 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $46,179 | $22.20 |
| 7 | South Carolina | $44,182 | $21.24 |
| 8 | New York | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 10 | Alaska | $49,645 | $23.87 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $49,182 | $23.65 |
| 12 | Delaware | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| 13 | Utah | $45,221 | $21.74 |
| 14 | Arizona | $45,779 | $22.01 |
| 15 | Texas | $44,054 | $21.18 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $43,373 | $20.85 |
| 17 | Florida | $41,958 | $20.17 |
| 18 | Illinois | $44,087 | $21.20 |
| 19 | Michigan | $39,623 | $19.05 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $41,375 | $19.89 |
| 21 | Virginia | $41,532 | $19.97 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $42,083 | $20.23 |
| 23 | Colorado | $39,839 | $19.15 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $45,157 | $21.71 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $43,988 | $21.15 |
| 26 | Montana | $37,798 | $18.17 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $41,351 | $19.88 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $41,498 | $19.95 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $40,773 | $19.60 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $38,765 | $18.64 |
| 32 | Alabama | $39,597 | $19.04 |
| 33 | Connecticut | $42,525 | $20.44 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $40,088 | $19.27 |
| 35 | Maryland | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| 37 | Vermont | $38,521 | $18.52 |
| 38 | Ohio | $37,062 | $17.82 |
| 39 | Iowa | $35,759 | $17.19 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $36,848 | $17.72 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $36,028 | $17.32 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $34,098 | $16.39 |
| 43 | Idaho | $36,462 | $17.53 |
| 44 | Georgia | $31,235 | $15.02 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $32,418 | $15.59 |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $34,488 | $16.58 |
| 47 | Maine | $34,545 | $16.61 |
| 48 | Missouri | $35,048 | $16.85 |
| 49 | Washington | $34,012 | $16.35 |
| 50 | Kansas | $31,034 | $14.92 |
| 51 | Indiana | $31,769 | $15.27 |
The highest-paying cities for associate instructors are Santa Rosa, CA, Jackson, MS, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $65,683 | $31.58 |
| 2 | Jackson, MS | $55,511 | $26.69 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $50,295 | $24.18 |
| 4 | Anchorage, AK | $49,979 | $24.03 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $47,401 | $22.79 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $46,271 | $22.25 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $45,984 | $22.11 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | $44,926 | $21.60 |
| 9 | Odessa, TX | $44,745 | $21.51 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $44,081 | $21.19 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $43,944 | $21.13 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $43,747 | $21.03 |
| 13 | Tampa, FL | $42,406 | $20.39 |
| 14 | Fredericksburg, VA | $41,767 | $20.08 |
| 15 | Hartford, CT | $41,674 | $20.04 |
| 16 | Edina, MN | $41,475 | $19.94 |
| 17 | Memphis, TN | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $40,696 | $19.57 |
| 19 | Denver, CO | $39,751 | $19.11 |
| 20 | Oklahoma City, OK | $39,292 | $18.89 |
An associate instructor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $79,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| Average | $50,999 | $4,250 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
The highest paying types of associate instructors are associate faculty, language instructor, and adjunct english instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Fellow | $44,040 | $3,670 | $21.17 | 40,551 |
| Instructor Of Spanish | $54,930 | $4,578 | $26.41 | 25,516 |
| Adjunct English Instructor | $55,901 | $4,658 | $26.88 | 38,052 |
| Learning Center Instructor | $33,129 | $2,761 | $15.93 | 59,893 |
| English Instructor | $53,915 | $4,493 | $25.92 | 27,111 |
| ESL Instructor | $53,226 | $4,436 | $25.59 | 26,173 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for associate instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
David McMahan Ph.D.
Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College
Top companies hiring associate instructors now:
Associate instructor salaries at Columbia University in the City of New York and The University of Chicago are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average associate instructor salary at companies like Cornell University and Research Foundation of The City University of New York are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $78,943 | $37.95 |
| 2 | The University of Chicago | $72,849 | $35.02 |
| 3 | Cornell University | $67,237 | $32.33 |
| 4 | Research Foundation of The City University of New York | $57,977 | $27.87 |
| 5 | Boston Children's Hospital | $57,791 | $27.78 |
| 6 | Ross Institute | $57,066 | $27.44 |
| 7 | University of Arizona Foundation | $55,767 | $26.81 |
| 8 | BigCommerce | $55,689 | $26.77 |
| 9 | State University of New York College at Cortland | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| 10 | Buena Vista University | $55,069 | $26.48 |
| 11 | New York State Restaurant Association | $54,641 | $26.27 |
| 12 | Middlebury College | $54,475 | $26.19 |
| 13 | Colorado Christian University | $54,292 | $26.10 |
| 14 | Applied Medical Resources | $54,117 | $26.02 |
| 15 | The Suzuki School | $53,109 | $25.53 |
| 16 | Beaufort County Community College | $52,756 | $25.36 |
| 17 | UTRGV - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $52,740 | $25.36 |
| 18 | KPMG LLP | $52,617 | $25.30 |
| 19 | Udacity | $52,608 | $25.29 |
| 20 | Tarrant County College | $52,110 | $25.05 |
The average associate instructor salary has risen by $7,672 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average associate instructor earned $43,327 annually, but today, they earn $50,999 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for associate instructors over the last decade.
Compare associate instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare associate instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,000 | $24.52 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $50,500 | $24.29 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $48,700 | $23.39 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $46,500 | $22.37 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $44,900 | $21.59 | +2.7% |
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