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Online instructor salary
Average online instructor salary
$45,114
Average Online Instructor Salary
The average salary for an online instructor is approximately $45,114 per year, translating to about $22 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the institution. Online instructors who specialize in high-demand subjects like technology and healthcare tend to earn higher salaries. Additionally, states like California and New York often offer the highest compensation for these roles.
Salary by Experience
As with many professions, experience plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level online instructors may start at lower salaries, while those with years of experience can command significantly higher pay. Instructors with advanced degrees or certifications also have a competitive edge, enhancing their earning potential.
Job Opportunities
Online instruction is a growing field with job openings across various platforms, including colleges, universities, and private educational organizations. The ability to teach from anywhere and the rising demand for online education make this a promising career path for educators looking to adapt to modern teaching methods.
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Where can an Online Instructor earn more?
Online instructor salary estimates from across the web
Average online instructor salary by state
The average online instructor salary in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average online instructor salary states are Florida, New Mexico, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for online instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $58,444 | $28.10 |
| 2 | Oregon | $51,691 | $24.85 |
| 3 | New York | $57,735 | $27.76 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $51,879 | $24.94 |
| 5 | Michigan | $48,078 | $23.11 |
| 6 | Virginia | $48,209 | $23.18 |
| 7 | Alaska | $46,502 | $22.36 |
| 8 | Iowa | $47,578 | $22.87 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $47,203 | $22.69 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $50,722 | $24.39 |
| 12 | Illinois | $51,197 | $24.61 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| 14 | Maryland | $48,415 | $23.28 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $43,291 | $20.81 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $46,688 | $22.45 |
| 17 | Idaho | $45,118 | $21.69 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $45,279 | $21.77 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $45,474 | $21.86 |
| 20 | Montana | $41,261 | $19.84 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $46,444 | $22.33 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $39,901 | $19.18 |
| 23 | Maine | $43,258 | $20.80 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $46,866 | $22.53 |
| 25 | Colorado | $41,353 | $19.88 |
| 26 | California | $43,842 | $21.08 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $50,238 | $24.15 |
| 28 | Alabama | $43,191 | $20.76 |
| 29 | Ohio | $42,138 | $20.26 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $40,914 | $19.67 |
| 31 | Washington | $44,095 | $21.20 |
| 32 | Arizona | $42,539 | $20.45 |
| 33 | Delaware | $41,318 | $19.86 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $39,418 | $18.95 |
| 35 | Texas | $40,045 | $19.25 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $38,067 | $18.30 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $39,974 | $19.22 |
| 38 | Kansas | $39,956 | $19.21 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $39,932 | $19.20 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $37,145 | $17.86 |
| 43 | Nevada | $37,255 | $17.91 |
| 44 | Utah | $38,069 | $18.30 |
| 45 | Georgia | $35,554 | $17.09 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $36,736 | $17.66 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $36,668 | $17.63 |
| 48 | Florida | $36,939 | $17.76 |
| 49 | Indiana | $37,502 | $18.03 |
| 50 | Missouri | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $35,179 | $16.91 |
Highest paying cities for online instructors
The highest-paying cities for online instructors are Albany, NY, Concord, NH, and Salem, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany, NY | $58,672 | $28.21 |
| 2 | Concord, NH | $51,877 | $24.94 |
| 3 | Salem, OR | $51,800 | $24.90 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $51,418 | $24.72 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $51,233 | $24.63 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $48,609 | $23.37 |
| 8 | Charleston, WV | $48,302 | $23.22 |
| 9 | Richmond, VA | $47,999 | $23.08 |
| 10 | Lansing, MI | $47,888 | $23.02 |
| 11 | Des Moines, IA | $47,238 | $22.71 |
| 12 | Providence, RI | $47,232 | $22.71 |
| 13 | Hartford, CT | $47,138 | $22.66 |
| 14 | Saint Paul, MN | $46,448 | $22.33 |
| 15 | Harrisburg, PA | $46,355 | $22.29 |
| 16 | Juneau, AK | $45,476 | $21.86 |
| 17 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $45,465 | $21.86 |
| 18 | Trenton, NJ | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| 19 | Sacramento, CA | $44,235 | $21.27 |
| 20 | Montgomery, AL | $43,202 | $20.77 |
Online instructor salary details
An online instructor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $61,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an online instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| Average | $45,114 | $3,760 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying online instructor jobs
The highest paying types of online instructors are vocational training instructor, english instructor, and instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute Teacher | $32,904 | $2,742 | $15.82 | 69,292 |
| Presenter | $42,989 | $3,582 | $20.67 | 6,431 |
| Guest Teacher | $32,547 | $2,712 | $15.65 | 84,930 |
| Mentor | $35,581 | $2,965 | $17.11 | 3,625 |
| Teacher/Tutor | $42,955 | $3,580 | $20.65 | 68,441 |
| Instructor, Adjunct Faculty | $52,225 | $4,352 | $25.11 | 37,739 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for online 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 online instructors now:
Which companies pay online instructors the most?
Online instructor salaries at New York University and Midland University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average online instructor salary at companies like Wayne Community College and Louisiana State Police are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | $61,328 | $29.48 |
| 2 | Midland University | $55,471 | $26.67 |
| 3 | Wayne Community College | $52,136 | $25.07 |
| 4 | Louisiana State Police | $49,337 | $23.72 |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins Medicine | $48,375 | $23.26 |
| 6 | Daymar College | $47,849 | $23.00 |
| 7 | 1871 | $45,132 | $21.70 |
| 8 | Fluent City | $44,956 | $21.61 |
| 9 | Johns Hopkins University | $42,377 | $20.37 |
| 10 | The Princeton Review | $40,403 | $19.42 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Online instructor salary trends
The average online instructor salary has risen by $4,852 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average online instructor earned $40,262 annually, but today, they earn $45,114 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for online instructors over the last decade.
Compare online instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average online instructor salary over time
Compare online instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Online instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,100 | $21.69 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $44,000 | $21.16 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | $43,900 | $21.10 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $43,100 | $20.73 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $42,400 | $20.37 | +3.6% |
Recently added online instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Online Instructor-Remote | WFH | Philadelphia, PA | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Get It-Real Estate | Online Real Estate Instructor-Remote | WFH | Manchester, NH | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Nursing Online Instructor/Tutor-Remote | WFH | Kane, IL | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| b & m Financial Management Services | Remote Quickbooks Online Instructor | Bronxville, NY | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Online Instructor-Remote | WFH | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| The Princeton Review | Live Online SAT Instructor | Chicago, IL | 06/11/2025 | $52,175 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Online Instructor-Remote | WFH | Gulfport, MS | 06/10/2025 | $31,305 |
| The Princeton Review | Summer SAT Instructor, Live Online | Bethesda, MD | 06/09/2025 | $52,175 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Online Instructor-Remote | WFH | Gulfport, MS | 05/26/2025 | $31,305 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Online Instructor-Remote | WFH | Philadelphia, PA | 05/26/2025 | $31,305 |
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