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English as a second language teacher salary
Average english as a second language teacher salary
$55,428
Understanding ESL Teacher Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for an English as a Second Language Teacher in the United States stands at $55,428 per year, equating to approximately $27 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the educational setting. For instance, ESL teachers in urban areas often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for services.
Salary by State
Different states offer varying pay scales for ESL teachers. States like California and New York typically provide higher salaries, reflecting the demand for language education in diverse environments. In contrast, rural areas may offer lower salaries, but they often have lower living costs, making them attractive for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Opportunities in Major Cities
Cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago are known for their thriving ESL programs, often leading to higher-paying positions. Additionally, these locations provide cultural experiences that enrich both teachers and students. For those considering a career in teaching ESL, researching specific areas where demand is high can significantly impact earning potential.
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Where can an English As A Second Language Teacher earn more?
Average english as a second language teacher salary by state
The highest-paying states for english as a second language teachers are Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island. The lowest average english as a second language teacher salary states are Arizona, Ohio, and New Mexico.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for english as a second language teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $70,005 | $33.66 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $74,371 | $35.76 |
| 3 | Nevada | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| 4 | Vermont | $62,909 | $30.24 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $70,416 | $33.85 |
| 6 | Delaware | $67,772 | $32.58 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $71,201 | $34.23 |
| 8 | New York | $68,926 | $33.14 |
| 9 | California | $72,255 | $34.74 |
| 10 | Michigan | $61,852 | $29.74 |
| 11 | Montana | $59,287 | $28.50 |
| 12 | Maryland | $61,577 | $29.60 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $62,821 | $30.20 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $57,203 | $27.50 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $56,904 | $27.36 |
| 16 | Utah | $63,221 | $30.39 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $57,737 | $27.76 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $51,801 | $24.90 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $54,225 | $26.07 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $58,354 | $28.05 |
| 22 | Maine | $56,504 | $27.17 |
| 23 | Kansas | $50,269 | $24.17 |
| 24 | Illinois | $50,501 | $24.28 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $61,346 | $29.49 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $53,864 | $25.90 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $53,075 | $25.52 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $52,424 | $25.20 |
| 29 | Alaska | $56,618 | $27.22 |
| 30 | Florida | $48,687 | $23.41 |
| 31 | Colorado | $49,115 | $23.61 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $50,803 | $24.42 |
| 33 | Missouri | $49,947 | $24.01 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $49,355 | $23.73 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $48,173 | $23.16 |
| 36 | Virginia | $49,066 | $23.59 |
| 37 | Georgia | $49,738 | $23.91 |
| 38 | Alabama | $49,208 | $23.66 |
| 39 | Iowa | $47,459 | $22.82 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $46,689 | $22.45 |
| 41 | Texas | $46,309 | $22.26 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $46,887 | $22.54 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $46,533 | $22.37 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $42,035 | $20.21 |
| 45 | Oregon | $48,356 | $23.25 |
| 46 | Washington | $47,604 | $22.89 |
| 47 | Ohio | $45,027 | $21.65 |
| 48 | Arizona | $46,248 | $22.23 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $37,247 | $17.91 |
| 50 | Indiana | $33,389 | $16.05 |
| 51 | Idaho | $34,626 | $16.65 |
Highest paying cities for english as a second language teachers
The highest-paying cities for english as a second language teachers are Richmond, CA, New York, NY, and West Bloomfield, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond, CA | $73,662 | $35.41 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $69,033 | $33.19 |
| 3 | West Bloomfield, MI | $62,018 | $29.82 |
| 4 | Franklin, WI | $58,027 | $27.90 |
| 5 | Fort Lee, NJ | $57,488 | $27.64 |
| 6 | Randolph, MA | $56,976 | $27.39 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $49,126 | $23.62 |
| 8 | Norfolk, VA | $49,079 | $23.60 |
| 9 | Durham, NC | $48,328 | $23.23 |
| 10 | Waterloo, IA | $47,562 | $22.87 |
| 11 | Saint Paul, MN | $46,886 | $22.54 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,325 | $22.27 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $46,299 | $22.26 |
| 14 | Marion, OH | $44,871 | $21.57 |
| 15 | Nampa, ID | $34,799 | $16.73 |
English as a second language teacher salary details
An english as a second language teacher's salary ranges from $42,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $72,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an english as a second language teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| 75th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| Average | $55,428 | $4,619 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
Highest paying english as a second language teacher jobs
The highest paying types of english as a second language teachers are student teacher, english language teacher, and adjunct english instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESL Instructor | $53,226 | $4,436 | $25.59 | 26,173 |
| Teacher-In-Training | $37,214 | $3,101 | $17.89 | 132,725 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| Student Teacher | $59,035 | $4,920 | $28.38 | 79,071 |
| Adjunct English Instructor | $55,901 | $4,658 | $26.88 | 38,052 |
| Reading Teacher | $55,452 | $4,621 | $26.66 | 68,234 |
Top companies hiring english as a second language teachers now:
Which companies pay english as a second language teachers the most?
English as a second language teacher salaries at Boston Public Schools and West Contra Costa Unified School District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average english as a second language teacher salary at companies like Pasadena Unified School District and Prince George's County Memorial Library System are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $72,456 | $34.83 |
| 2 | West Contra Costa Unified School District | $61,384 | $29.51 |
| 3 | Pasadena Unified School District | $59,493 | $28.60 |
| 4 | Prince George's County Memorial Library System | $59,363 | $28.54 |
| 5 | North Arlington School District Nj | $58,689 | $28.22 |
| 6 | James Madison University | $58,451 | $28.10 |
| 7 | Houston ISD Foundation | $58,298 | $28.03 |
| 8 | Nyc Parks | $57,435 | $27.61 |
| 9 | Denver Public Schools | $57,136 | $27.47 |
| 10 | St. Timothy School | $56,592 | $27.21 |
| 11 | Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation | $56,575 | $27.20 |
| 12 | South Washington County Schools | $56,492 | $27.16 |
| 13 | Petal School District | $56,321 | $27.08 |
| 14 | Union County Public Schools | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| 15 | Arroyo Seco Junior High | $56,043 | $26.94 |
| 16 | Berkshire School | $56,011 | $26.93 |
| 17 | Central Park School for Children | $55,819 | $26.84 |
| 18 | Great River School | $55,615 | $26.74 |
| 19 | FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT CA | $55,597 | $26.73 |
| 20 | Proviso Township Schools | $55,369 | $26.62 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
English as a second language teacher salary trends
The average english as a second language teacher salary has risen by $6,097 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average english as a second language teacher earned $49,331 annually, but today, they earn $55,428 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for english as a second language teachers over the last decade.
Compare english as a second language teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average english as a second language teacher salary over time
Compare english as a second language teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
English as a second language teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,400 | $26.65 | +0.7% |
| 2025 | $55,000 | $26.45 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $53,500 | $25.72 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $52,100 | $25.07 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $51,200 | $24.61 | +2.7% |
Recently added english as a second language teacher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools | English As A Second Language (ESL) Elementary Teacher | Prior Lake, MN | 06/29/2025 | $47,992 |
| Mastery Charter Schools | Middle School-ESL-English As A Second Language (Fluent In Spanish) Teacher-6Th-8Th Grade | Camden, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $60,000 |
| Minneapolis Public School District | Teacher, English Second Language-Bilingual Spanish-LAS Estrellas) | Minneapolis, MN | 06/18/2025 | $53,629 |
| Lawrence Public Schools | Teacher-English As A Second Language (ESL) | Lawrence, MA | 06/17/2025 | $79,011 |
| Woodland School District 50 | English As A Second Language Teacher | Gurnee, IL | 06/11/2025 | $42,199 |
| Beloved Community Charter School | English As A Second Language Teacher & Department Chair | Jersey City, NJ | 06/09/2025 | $62,000 |
| Albert Lea Area Schools | English As A Second Language (ESL) Night Teacher | Nore, MN | 06/06/2025 | $73,108 |
| Long Prairie-Grey Eagle ISD 2753 | English Second Language Teacher-Elementary | Nore, MN | 06/02/2025 | $45,129 |
| Township of Union Public Schools | Leave Replacement English As A Second Language Teacher | Downe, NJ | 05/25/2025 | $68,197 |
| Abby Kelley Foster Charter School | ES English As A Second Language (ESL) Teacher | Worcester, MA | 05/21/2025 | $51,324 |
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