How To Become A Communications Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a communications instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

David McMahan Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a communications instructor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.74 an hour? That's $53,529 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 52,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a communications instructor?

David McMahan Ph.D.

Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College

Keep open to possibilities beyond the narrow range of what your diploma lists as your major or minor. Whatever job you get trained for today, in 10-20 years, it may be very different. Or it may not exist. Focus on obtaining and maintaining flexibility, critical thinking, creativity, and passion for learning. Being an interesting person is as vital as any credential.

ScoreCommunications InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,529

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.68%

Asian 6.54%

Black or African American 11.14%

Hispanic or Latino 16.32%

Unknown 4.73%

White 59.58%

Gender

female 61.30%

male 38.70%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a communications instructor

Explore communications instructor education requirements

Most common communications instructor degrees

Bachelor's

52.5 %

Master's

16.6 %

Associate

16.1 %

Start to develop specific communications instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Developmental Disabilities	11.73%
Autism	9.24%
Public Speaking	7.00%
Incident Reports	5.54%
Community Integration	5.19%

Complete relevant communications instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New communications instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a communications instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real communications instructor resumes.

Research communications instructor duties and responsibilities

Guide individuals in accomplishing their ISP objectives by demonstrating effective instruction techniques and positive reinforcement.
Focus: the integration of philosophy, history, art and literature for gift students.
Prepare syllabus, exams, lectures and class participation projects as a last minute replacement for an ill instructor.
Create flexible syllabus with modules instead of due dates, allowing non-traditional students to complete modules at their own pace.

Prepare your communications instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your communications instructor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a communications instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable communications instructor resume templates

Build a professional communications instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your communications instructor resume.