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Job outlook for communication skills instructors in the United States
Are communication skills instructor jobs in demand?
Communication skills instructor job and salary trends over time
Communication skills instructor jobs over time
Communication skills instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,818 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,824 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,934 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,903 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,965 | 0.00% |
Average communication skills instructor salary over time
Communication skills instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,060 | $16.37 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $33,448 | $16.08 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $32,529 | $15.64 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $31,598 | $15.19 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $31,023 | $14.91 | +2.4% |
Communication skills instructor jobs by state
Most common states for communication skills instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 503 | 9% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 50 | 9% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 637 | 8% |
| 4 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 385 | 8% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 81 | 8% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 678 | 7% |
| 7 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 676 | 7% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 284 | 7% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 66 | 7% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 53 | 7% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 182 | 6% |
| 12 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 41 | 6% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 485 | 5% |
| 14 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 458 | 5% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 357 | 5% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 251 | 5% |
| 17 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 144 | 5% |
| 18 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 75 | 5% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 37 | 5% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 31 | 5% |
Most common cities for communication skills instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $35,243 |
Communication Skills Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of communication skills instructor experts
College of the Marshall Islands
Hope College
University of Virginia
AGWA - American Grant Writers' Association, Inc.
Gustavus Adolphus College
What general advice would you give to a Communication Skills Instructor?
Alexander Velasquez: My general advice to any graduate beginning their career in their field is to continue to learn and be a student of your craft. Be open to learning new things because you never know how they will improve your skills and qualifications. For example, I am currently learning video editing. I never thought I would bother to learn video editing, but it makes me a more versatile instructor being able to give students the option of doing video projects, combining and editing them, and having a digital record of what students have learned in the classroom. And given the rise of online learning, it's important nowadays to be an effective instructor both in the traditional in-person format and within the digital landscape.
What skills stand out on Communication Skills Instructor resumes?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: When I look at a resume, I am not just looking for a list of skills. I am looking for the application of skills. I am looking for internship experiences or past job experiences that demonstrate hard and soft skill development and application. I believe that the best predictor of future performance is past performance. If you want to be a Communication Skills Instructor, I would recommend starting as an intern – which will help build your skill set under the guidance of someone already working in the profession.
What skills stand out on Communication Skills Instructor resumes?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: When I look at a resume, I am not just looking for a list of skills. I am looking for the application of skills. I am looking for internship experiences or past job experiences that demonstrate hard and soft skill development and application. I believe that the best predictor of future performance is past performance. If you want to be a Communication Skills Instructor, I would recommend starting as an intern - which will help build your skill set under the guidance of someone already working in the profession.
What soft skills should all Communication Skills Instructors possess?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: The most important soft skill that a Communication Skills Instructor can possess is the skill of coaching. A Communication Skills Instructor is basically a skills coach. You need to walk alongside your students/clients to help them grow their communication skill set. You need to be able to assess where their skills are currently, set a plan in place, and put that plan into action – while encouraging your student/client every step of the way.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Communication Skills Instructors?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: One growing area within the profession is teaching students/clients how to communicate effectively using technology. Presenting live and pre-recorded webinars and leading effective online meetings requires technical skills and knowledge of computers and software. As a communication skills instructor, you need to teach them soft skills of presenting effectively online, the technical skills of using the equipment and software, and how to troubleshoot when problems with technology arise.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Communication Skills Instructors?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: One growing area within the profession is teaching students/clients how to communicate effectively using technology. Presenting live and pre-recorded webinars and leading effective online meetings requires technical skills and knowledge of computers and software. As a communication skills instructor, you need to teach them soft skills of presenting effectively online, the technical skills of using the equipment and software, and how to troubleshoot when problems with technology arise.
What skills will help Communication Skills Instructors earn the most?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: You will earn the most if you have experience, expertise, or a background in a specific field, for example, health care or computer programming, and combine that expertise with teaching communication skills. Communication skills instructors who work as corporate trainers specializing in teaching communication skills within a particular field have the greatest earning potential. Many organizations, especially in highly specialized or technical fields, find that their employees need specific training in developing strong communication skills in group and interpersonal settings. Businesses are willing to hire internal or external communication skills instructors to teach those skills through corporate training seminars and private coaching sessions.
What skills will help Communication Skills Instructors earn the most?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: You will earn the most if you have experience, expertise, or a background in a specific field, for example, health care or computer programming, and combine that expertise with teaching communication skills. Communication skills instructors who work as corporate trainers specializing in teaching communication skills within a particular field have the greatest earning potential. Many organizations, especially in highly specialized or technical fields, find that their employees need specific training in developing strong communication skills in group and interpersonal settings. Businesses are willing to hire internal or external communication skills instructors to teach those skills through corporate training seminars and private coaching sessions.
M. Rachel Tighe Ph.D.
Department ChairUniversity of Virginia
Department of Communication Studies
What skills stand out on Communication Skills Instructor resumes?
M. Rachel Tighe Ph.D.: -Teaching experience
-Generalist knowledge – public speaking, interpersonal, business and professional, argumentation
What soft skills should all Communication Skills Instructors possess?
M. Rachel Tighe Ph.D.: -Interest in working with undergraduates
-Willing to be available to students
-Positive student evaluations
What hard/technical skills are most important for Communication Skills Instructors?
M. Rachel Tighe Ph.D.: -Ability to use an online platform (Moodle, Google Classroom, etc.
-Ability to use video for virtual instruction
What skills will help Communication Skills Instructors earn the most?
M. Rachel Tighe Ph.D.: -Online teaching skills
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Communication Skills Instructors?
John Porter Ph.D.: Grant writing is a very consistent business. It does not matter if the market is up or down or which party is in office. If the economy is down and money is tight, business tends to turn towards grant funding to supplement revenue. If the economy is strong, the company has a little extra cash and is willing to explore grant funding.
When unemployment rises and it isn't easy to find employment, more people will start their own business. If that business is a non-profit, it could receive grant funding for their programs and activities.
Grant writing is an excellent full-time, and part-time opportunity. Many, mostly non-profit organizations, seek Certified Grant Writers to help compensate for the lack of revenue, which has occurred from the recent economic shutdown. Independent Grant Consultants have a lot of control over the number and type of clients they work with, from a few each month to as many as there is time to do.
Certified Grant Writers are in high demand to compensate for issues like the recovery from the economic shutdown, rising taxes, and other financial strains,
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Communication Skills Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Kathleen Keller Ph.D.: Our students find employment in various fields: business, education, non-profit, government, etc. It's hard for me to say where in the United States would be the best place to find employment. Our graduates (including 2020 grads) have had a lot of success in the Twin Cities.