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As of October 2025, the average salary for an Adult Literacy Teacher in the United States is approximately $43,884 per year or $21 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution.
For instance, teachers in urban areas or states with high living costs may earn more than their counterparts in rural settings. Additionally, those with advanced degrees or specialized training may also command higher salaries.
Some of the highest paying states for adult literacy teachers include California, New York, and Massachusetts, where salaries can exceed the national average significantly. This disparity highlights the importance of researching local job markets and salary trends.
In addition to state-specific salaries, online platforms and job boards like Zippia provide valuable insights into job openings and salary ranges, helping prospective teachers make informed decisions about their career paths.
Let Zippia find your next adult literacy teacher job
Let Zippia find your next adult literacy teacher job
The highest-paying states for adult literacy teachers are California, Hawaii, and Washington. The lowest average adult literacy teacher salary states are Nebraska, Tennessee, and Missouri.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $59,944 | $28.82 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $47,951 | $23.05 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $49,239 | $23.67 |
| 4 | Kansas | $46,111 | $22.17 |
| 5 | Indiana | $45,190 | $21.73 |
| 6 | New York | $51,406 | $24.71 |
| 7 | Illinois | $45,993 | $22.11 |
| 8 | Idaho | $48,385 | $23.26 |
| 9 | Washington | $52,557 | $25.27 |
| 10 | Montana | $46,254 | $22.24 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $44,241 | $21.27 |
| 12 | Louisiana | $46,105 | $22.17 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $50,446 | $24.25 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $44,892 | $21.58 |
| 15 | South Carolina | $43,376 | $20.85 |
| 16 | Maryland | $43,063 | $20.70 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $59,082 | $28.40 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $45,072 | $21.67 |
| 19 | Alabama | $43,542 | $20.93 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $41,418 | $19.91 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $42,574 | $20.47 |
| 22 | Oregon | $43,984 | $21.15 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $37,834 | $18.19 |
| 24 | Virginia | $41,632 | $20.02 |
| 25 | Ohio | $40,095 | $19.28 |
| 26 | Maine | $42,521 | $20.44 |
| 27 | Alaska | $43,795 | $21.06 |
| 28 | Iowa | $38,358 | $18.44 |
| 29 | Colorado | $37,936 | $18.24 |
| 30 | Nevada | $40,024 | $19.24 |
| 31 | Florida | $36,184 | $17.40 |
| 32 | Texas | $36,994 | $17.79 |
| 33 | Michigan | $35,125 | $16.89 |
| 34 | Delaware | $36,982 | $17.78 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | $34,371 | $16.52 |
| 36 | Arizona | $38,233 | $18.38 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $35,941 | $17.28 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $36,838 | $17.71 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $34,224 | $16.45 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $35,854 | $17.24 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | $36,482 | $17.54 |
| 44 | Utah | $36,336 | $17.47 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $34,617 | $16.64 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $37,339 | $17.95 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $31,936 | $15.35 |
| 48 | Missouri | $34,188 | $16.44 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $34,453 | $16.56 |
| 50 | Vermont | $32,969 | $15.85 |
| 51 | Georgia | $26,858 | $12.91 |
The highest-paying cities for adult literacy teachers are San Jose, CA, New York, NY, and Paterson, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $61,246 | $29.45 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $51,591 | $24.80 |
| 3 | Paterson, NJ | $49,143 | $23.63 |
| 4 | Rockville, MD | $42,880 | $20.62 |
| 5 | Springfield, MA | $42,187 | $20.28 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $37,119 | $17.85 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $36,793 | $17.69 |
An adult literacy teacher's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $43,884 | $3,657 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
The highest paying types of adult literacy teachers are literacy consultant, esol instructor, and transitional studies instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education Instructor | $41,294 | $3,441 | $19.85 | 68,342 |
| Education Instructor | $37,103 | $3,092 | $17.84 | 46,335 |
| Adult Education Instructor | $45,926 | $3,827 | $22.08 | 43,991 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| Substitute Teacher | $32,904 | $2,742 | $15.82 | 69,292 |
| Adult Education Teacher | $41,280 | $3,440 | $19.85 | 70,775 |
Top companies hiring adult literacy teachers now:
Adult literacy teacher salaries at The Institutes and City of Springfield are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average adult literacy teacher salary at companies like Americorps and Washington Youth Soccer are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Institutes | $67,212 | $32.31 |
| 2 | City of Springfield | $66,970 | $32.20 |
| 3 | Americorps | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| 4 | Washington Youth Soccer | $41,526 | $19.96 |
| 5 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $34,079 | $16.38 |
The average adult literacy teacher salary has risen by $6,327 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average adult literacy teacher earned $37,557 annually, but today, they earn $43,884 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for adult literacy teachers over the last decade.
Compare adult literacy teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare adult literacy teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,900 | $21.10 | +1.8% |
| 2025 | $43,100 | $20.72 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $42,500 | $20.44 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $41,300 | $19.86 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $40,200 | $19.31 | +0.7% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Georgia | Adult Literacy Teacher-ESL | Lawrenceville, GA | 05/29/2025 | $43,410 |
| Winona Area Public Schools | Adult Literacy Teacher School Year | Nore, MN | 05/09/2025 | $55,227 |
| Contents | Adult Literacy/GED Preparation Teacher | Utica, NY | 02/17/2025 | $52,175 |
| Rush Henrietta Central Sd | Substitute Adult Literacy Esol Teacher | Fine, NY | 12/14/2024 | $39,653 |
| New American Association of Massachusetts | Literacy/Low Beginning Esol Teacher for Adult Life Skills/Employment | Lowell, MA | 12/11/2024 | $58,436 |
| State of Georgia | Adult Literacy Teacher-ESL | Lawrenceville, GA | 12/03/2024 | $43,410 |
| Madison-Oneida Boces | Adult Literacy/GED Preparation Teacher | Utica, NY | 11/21/2024 | $52,175 |
| University Settlement | Esol Teacher-Adult Literacy (52183) | New York, NY | 10/22/2024 | $79,306 |
| Peoriaparks | Adult Literacy Teacher Moonlight | Kane, IL | 10/22/2024 | $61,233 |
| Comprehensive Youth Development, Inc. | Esol Teacher-Adult Literacy | Fine, NY | 10/19/2024 | $79,306 |
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