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Course instructor salary
Average course instructor salary
$49,389
Understanding Course Instructor Salaries
The average Course Instructor salary in the United States is $49,389 per year, which translates to around $24 per hour. This figure varies based on several factors including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level instructors typically earn less, while those with more experience can see salaries exceeding $60,000. For example, instructors with over ten years of experience may command salaries around $65,000 or more.
Location Matters
Course Instructor salaries also differ significantly by state. States like California and New York often offer higher wages compared to others. Additionally, certain cities are known for their lucrative opportunities. Notable cities include San Francisco and Washington D.C., where salaries can reach up to $70,000 or higher.
Highest Paying Positions
Instructors specializing in high-demand subjects such as STEM fields often earn more than their peers. By pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, instructors can further enhance their earning potential. Understanding these dynamics can help instructors make informed career decisions.
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Where can a Course Instructor earn more?
Course instructor salaries by experience level
Average course instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for course instructors are New York, Connecticut, and Virginia. The lowest average course instructor salary states are Tennessee, Idaho, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for course instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| 2 | New York | $62,672 | $30.13 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 4 | Texas | $55,033 | $26.46 |
| 5 | California | $55,258 | $26.57 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $62,534 | $30.06 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $57,022 | $27.41 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $58,130 | $27.95 |
| 9 | Delaware | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| 10 | Michigan | $47,251 | $22.72 |
| 11 | Maryland | $52,849 | $25.41 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $53,073 | $25.52 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $52,442 | $25.21 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $44,011 | $21.16 |
| 15 | Iowa | $45,165 | $21.71 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $51,186 | $24.61 |
| 17 | Illinois | $48,704 | $23.42 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $45,055 | $21.66 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $47,287 | $22.73 |
| 20 | Georgia | $43,433 | $20.88 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $42,061 | $20.22 |
| 22 | Maine | $48,077 | $23.11 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $43,131 | $20.74 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $41,468 | $19.94 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $43,354 | $20.84 |
| 26 | Vermont | $45,521 | $21.89 |
| 27 | Ohio | $43,184 | $20.76 |
| 28 | Louisiana | $43,716 | $21.02 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $45,273 | $21.77 |
| 30 | Colorado | $40,059 | $19.26 |
| 31 | Montana | $39,464 | $18.97 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $40,717 | $19.58 |
| 34 | Washington | $44,609 | $21.45 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $41,095 | $19.76 |
| 36 | Florida | $39,134 | $18.81 |
| 37 | Alabama | $40,414 | $19.43 |
| 38 | Oregon | $35,547 | $17.09 |
| 39 | Nevada | $36,264 | $17.43 |
| 40 | Kansas | $39,519 | $19.00 |
| 41 | Alaska | $27,300 | $13.13 |
| 42 | Utah | $35,819 | $17.22 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $35,067 | $16.86 |
| 44 | Arizona | $36,852 | $17.72 |
| 45 | Indiana | $38,038 | $18.29 |
| 46 | Missouri | $36,415 | $17.51 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $36,235 | $17.42 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $31,478 | $15.13 |
| 49 | Idaho | $32,161 | $15.46 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $31,930 | $15.35 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $30,541 | $14.68 |
Highest paying cities for course instructors
The highest-paying cities for course instructors are Arlington, VA, New York, NY, and Bridgeport, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington, VA | $63,089 | $30.33 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| 3 | Bridgeport, CT | $62,592 | $30.09 |
| 4 | Newark, NJ | $60,115 | $28.90 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $56,291 | $27.06 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $54,592 | $26.25 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $53,127 | $25.54 |
| 8 | Reading, MA | $52,692 | $25.33 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $51,157 | $24.59 |
| 10 | Bellingham, WA | $43,971 | $21.14 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $42,969 | $20.66 |
| 12 | Asheville, NC | $40,561 | $19.50 |
| 13 | Bradenton, FL | $39,342 | $18.91 |
| 14 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $37,211 | $17.89 |
| 15 | Chattanooga, TN | $35,406 | $17.02 |
Course instructor salary details
A course instructor's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $77,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a course instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| Average | $49,389 | $4,116 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying course instructor jobs
The highest paying types of course instructors are associate professor, faculty member, and adjunct professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty Member | $102,849 | $8,571 | $49.45 | 30,325 |
| Faculty | $80,405 | $6,700 | $38.66 | 21,142 |
| Adjunct Faculty | $83,069 | $6,922 | $39.94 | 26,791 |
| Trainer | $47,574 | $3,964 | $22.87 | 40,650 |
| Facilitator | $44,851 | $3,738 | $21.56 | 30,474 |
| Adjunct Professor | $98,821 | $8,235 | $47.51 | 22,488 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for course instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
David McMahan Ph.D.
Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College
Which companies pay course instructors the most?
Course instructor salaries at Jacobs Engineering Group and Rutgers University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average course instructor salary at companies like University Hospitals and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $91,447 | $43.96 |
| 2 | Rutgers University | $68,123 | $32.75 |
| 3 | University Hospitals | $64,139 | $30.84 |
| 4 | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| 5 | Covenant | $61,563 | $29.60 |
| 6 | Loyola University Maryland | $59,130 | $28.43 |
| 7 | PSEA | $56,469 | $27.15 |
| 8 | Goldbelt Falcon | $55,661 | $26.76 |
| 9 | Syracuse University | $55,529 | $26.70 |
| 10 | Sargent & Lundy | $55,036 | $26.46 |
| 11 | Virginia's Community Colleges | $47,613 | $22.89 |
| 12 | Western Washington University | $47,157 | $22.67 |
| 13 | Landair Express | $44,717 | $21.50 |
| 14 | Trocaire College | $44,621 | $21.45 |
| 15 | DataCamp | $43,646 | $20.98 |
| 16 | Jacobs Enterprises | $43,632 | $20.98 |
| 17 | University of Rhode Island | $43,610 | $20.97 |
| 18 | Prescient Edge | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 19 | Guilford Technical Community College | $43,247 | $20.79 |
| 20 | American Museum of Natural History | $42,045 | $20.21 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Course Instructor salary by industry
The average course instructor salary varies across industries:
- The average course instructor salary in the non profits industry is $70,254, the highest of any industry.
- The average course instructor salary in the finance industry is $53,682.
- Course instructors in the energy industry earn an average salary of $43,587, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for course instructors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non Profits | $70,254 | $33.78 |
| 2 | Education | $53,682 | $25.81 |
| 3 | Health Care | $53,497 | $25.72 |
| 4 | Professional | $46,165 | $22.19 |
| 5 | Energy | $43,587 | $20.96 |
High paying course instructor jobs
Course instructor salary trends
The average course instructor salary has risen by $5,947 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average course instructor earned $43,442 annually, but today, they earn $49,389 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for course instructors over the last decade.
Compare course instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average course instructor salary over time
Compare course instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Course instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,400 | $23.74 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $48,200 | $23.18 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $47,900 | $23.05 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $47,500 | $22.86 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $46,500 | $22.35 | +1.4% |
Recently added course instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Caribbean Course Instructor-Remote | WFH | Arlington, VA | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| University Hospital | Course Instructor (Bls/Acls/Pals) | Newark, NJ | 06/21/2025 | $80,308 |
| Outward Bound California | Challenge Course Instructor | San Francisco, CA | 06/18/2025 | $48,231 |
| Northeastern University | Subject Matter Course Instructors | Boston, MA | 06/17/2025 | $41,016 |
| YMCA of Greater Toledo | Ninja Course (Gymnastics) Instructor | Maumee, OH | 06/15/2025 | $22,957 |
| Quality Healthcare Staffing | Ged(Tsac) Course Instructor | New York, NY | 06/10/2025 | $58,436 |
| Evoke Consulting | Course Instructor-Business Analysis and Training Support (Afrc7) | Aurora, CO | 06/10/2025 | $60,000 |
| Oregon State University | Instructor : Music Classroom Courses | Corvallis, OR | 06/04/2025 | $46,017 |
| University of Denver | Instructors for Course Intz 2503 | Denver, CO | 05/29/2025 | $67,306 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | South Central Europe Course Instructor-Remote | WFH | Arlington, VA | 05/26/2025 | $41,740 |
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