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

What is a program instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Rodney Foster

A program instructor is in charge of coordinating the programs of an organization. The responsibility of a program instructor is to ensure that events are executed in a way that meets the goals and objectives set for each program. By implication, they oversee the planning or assign personnel to handle the process. In addition to planning and organizing activities for a program, a program instructor engages with participants to ensure their participation in the programs. They give instructions to participants, observe their behavior and interest, and help foster group cooperation and personal development.

Program instructors are expected to have excellent communication skills. Patience and organizational skills are also necessary for this role. It is possible to become a program instructor with a high school degree or GED. However, a college degree would be an excellent addition. The average annual salary of a program instructor is about $43,000.

What general advice would you give to a program instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreProgram InstructorUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,380

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.22%

Black or African American 7.29%

Hispanic or Latino 10.37%

Unknown 4.96%

White 65.88%

Gender

female 60.28%

male 39.72%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a program instructor

Explore program instructor education requirements

Most common program instructor degrees

Bachelor's

58.0 %

Master's

14.2 %

Associate

13.1 %

Start to develop specific program instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	25.08%
K-12	14.76%
Math	11.00%
Mathematics	9.07%
Excellent Interpersonal	8.22%

Complete relevant program instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program 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 program instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program instructor resumes.

Research program instructor duties and responsibilities

Facilitate, manage and implement each classroom student's IEP
Lead DCMA personnel consolidation plan to increase synergies and communication amongst the teams.
Manage groups of kids on a daily basis in the field to ensure safety while participating in activities.
Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.

Prepare your program instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program 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 program instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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