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The salary for a bilingual teacher averages $51,770 annually, translating to about $25 per hour. This figure can vary based on state, experience, and specific educational settings. For instance, teachers in urban areas may find higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living adjustments.
Research shows significant differences in salaries across the United States. For example, bilingual teachers in states like California and New York often earn more than their counterparts in less populated regions. Factors such as school funding, district budgets, and local demand for bilingual education play crucial roles in these disparities.
Experience also significantly affects salary potential. Entry-level bilingual teachers typically start at lower salaries, which can increase with years of service and additional certifications. Continuous professional development and specialization in areas like ESL or special education can enhance job prospects and earning potential.
Exploring leadership roles within bilingual education, such as curriculum developers or program coordinators, can further increase earning potential. For those considering a career in this field, understanding regional trends and the importance of experience is vital for making informed career decisions.
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The average bilingual teacher salary in New Jersey, California, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average bilingual teacher salary states are South Dakota, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $68,746 | $33.05 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $57,814 | $27.80 |
| 3 | Maryland | $60,857 | $29.26 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $65,284 | $31.39 |
| 5 | Michigan | $54,054 | $25.99 |
| 6 | Washington | $65,499 | $31.49 |
| 7 | California | $67,498 | $32.45 |
| 8 | Wyoming | $53,280 | $25.62 |
| 9 | New York | $63,094 | $30.33 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $54,678 | $26.29 |
| 11 | Virginia | $61,636 | $29.63 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $56,676 | $27.25 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $56,251 | $27.04 |
| 14 | Montana | $49,378 | $23.74 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $55,228 | $26.55 |
| 16 | Alaska | $58,627 | $28.19 |
| 17 | Texas | $50,308 | $24.19 |
| 18 | Ohio | $52,485 | $25.23 |
| 19 | Illinois | $49,862 | $23.97 |
| 20 | Delaware | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $47,261 | $22.72 |
| 22 | Tennessee | $48,639 | $23.38 |
| 23 | Oregon | $52,881 | $25.42 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $49,908 | $23.99 |
| 25 | Kansas | $46,696 | $22.45 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $47,051 | $22.62 |
| 27 | Georgia | $47,903 | $23.03 |
| 28 | Iowa | $46,492 | $22.35 |
| 29 | Alabama | $48,852 | $23.49 |
| 30 | Vermont | $45,965 | $22.10 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $44,783 | $21.53 |
| 32 | Idaho | $44,963 | $21.62 |
| 33 | Arizona | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $46,672 | $22.44 |
| 35 | Nevada | $43,427 | $20.88 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $45,971 | $22.10 |
| 37 | Florida | $45,217 | $21.74 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $44,323 | $21.31 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $51,113 | $24.57 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $43,179 | $20.76 |
| 41 | North Dakota | $44,807 | $21.54 |
| 42 | Colorado | $42,630 | $20.50 |
| 43 | Utah | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| 44 | Missouri | $43,609 | $20.97 |
| 45 | Indiana | $41,193 | $19.80 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $43,318 | $20.83 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $42,171 | $20.27 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $40,333 | $19.39 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $42,298 | $20.34 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $41,560 | $19.98 |
| 51 | Maine | $37,266 | $17.92 |
The highest-paying cities for bilingual teachers are San Francisco, CA, Plainfield, NJ, and Odessa, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $69,842 | $33.58 |
| 2 | Plainfield, NJ | $68,816 | $33.08 |
| 3 | Odessa, TX | $50,686 | $24.37 |
| 4 | Waukegan, IL | $50,046 | $24.06 |
| 5 | Milwaukee, WI | $46,833 | $22.52 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $42,597 | $20.48 |
A bilingual teacher's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $64,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| Average | $51,770 | $4,314 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
The highest paying types of bilingual teachers are science teacher, student teacher, and reading teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher-In-Training | $37,214 | $3,101 | $17.89 | 132,725 |
| Teacher/Tutor | $42,955 | $3,580 | $20.65 | 68,441 |
| Pre-K Teacher | $40,301 | $3,358 | $19.38 | 60,464 |
| Student Teacher | $59,035 | $4,920 | $28.38 | 79,071 |
| History Teacher | $53,780 | $4,482 | $25.86 | 65,399 |
| ESL Teacher | $52,701 | $4,392 | $25.34 | 63,897 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for bilingual teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Bilingual teacher salaries at Favorite Healthcare Staffing and Lycée Français de San Francisco are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average bilingual teacher salary at companies like Edgewood Elementary School and Chicago Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Favorite Healthcare Staffing | $65,278 | $31.38 |
| 2 | Lycée Français de San Francisco | $63,304 | $30.43 |
| 3 | Edgewood Elementary School | $58,527 | $28.14 |
| 4 | Chicago Public Schools | $57,959 | $27.86 |
| 5 | Green Bay Schools | $57,562 | $27.67 |
| 6 | Therapy Source | $57,524 | $27.66 |
| 7 | Central Valley School District | $57,466 | $27.63 |
| 8 | Hayward Unified School District | $57,301 | $27.55 |
| 9 | Northshore School District | $57,277 | $27.54 |
| 10 | North Arlington School District Nj | $57,019 | $27.41 |
| 11 | Rochester City School District | $56,279 | $27.06 |
| 12 | CUSD 200 | $55,870 | $26.86 |
| 13 | International Leadership of Texas | $55,205 | $26.54 |
| 14 | Irving Isd | $54,959 | $26.42 |
| 15 | DC International School | $54,719 | $26.31 |
| 16 | New Brunswick Public Schools | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| 17 | San Marcos Consolidated ISD | $54,588 | $26.24 |
| 18 | Houston ISD Foundation | $54,397 | $26.15 |
| 19 | New London Public Schools | $54,231 | $26.07 |
| 20 | Everman ISD | $54,205 | $26.06 |
The average bilingual teacher salary has risen by $6,881 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average bilingual teacher earned $44,889 annually, but today, they earn $51,770 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for bilingual teachers over the last decade.
Compare bilingual teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare bilingual teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,800 | $24.89 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $50,700 | $24.37 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $49,500 | $23.78 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $48,600 | $23.35 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $47,400 | $22.79 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highline School District | Bilingual Paraeducator (English/Spanish) | Burien, WA | 06/29/2025 | $67,097 |
| Crowley Independent School District (Tx | Bilingual Teacher | Crowley, TX | 06/26/2025 | $61,810 |
| Bryan Independent School District | Teacher, Elementary, Bilingual Candidate Pool | Bryan, TX | 06/13/2025 | $72,000 |
| Edgewood ISD (Tx | Elementary Bilingual Teacher-4Th Grade | San Antonio, TX | 06/11/2025 | $58,500 |
| Salem-Keizer School District | Grade 5 Bilingual Teacher-Starts School Year | Salem, OR | 06/10/2025 | $50,011 |
| Community Consolidated School District 21 | Spanish Bilingual Teacher | Wheeling, IL | 06/10/2025 | $51,053 |
| Distinctive Schools | Bilingual Teacher | Chicago, IL | 06/10/2025 | $55,000 |
| Mastery Charter Schools | Bilingual (Fluent In Spanish) Support Teacher School Year | Camden, NJ | 06/09/2025 | $43,500 |
| Santa Barbara Unified School District | Bilingual Paraeducator, Elementary | Ione, CA | 06/02/2025 | $42,262 |
| Millville Public Schools | Elementary Bilingual Teacher-Rieck Avenue School | Millville, NJ | 05/30/2025 | $61,025 |
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