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Foreign language professor salary
Average foreign language professor salary
$16.16
Understanding Foreign Language Professor Salaries
The role of a Foreign Language Professor involves teaching and fostering an appreciation for languages and cultures. On average, these educators earn around $33,622 annually or $16 per hour. However, salaries can differ significantly based on geographic location, type of institution, and years of experience.
State averages reveal that professors in locations such as California and New York tend to earn more due to higher living costs and demand for language education. For instance, the highest paying cities for this profession include San Francisco and New York City.
Factors Influencing Salary
- Experience: Professors with more years in the field often command higher salaries.
- Institution Type: Those teaching at universities typically earn more than those at community colleges.
- Location: Cost of living and demand in certain areas can significantly impact salaries.
Overall, a career as a Foreign Language Professor offers various opportunities for personal and professional growth. Understanding the salary landscape can guide current and prospective educators in making informed career decisions.
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Where can a Foreign Language Professor earn more?
Average foreign language professor salary by state
The highest-paying states for foreign language professors are Alaska, North Dakota, and New Hampshire. The lowest average foreign language professor salary states are Kentucky, Arkansas, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for foreign language professors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $51,655 | $24.83 |
| 2 | Vermont | $45,032 | $21.65 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $48,064 | $23.11 |
| 4 | New York | $46,846 | $22.52 |
| 5 | Washington | $48,155 | $23.15 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $47,289 | $22.74 |
| 7 | Illinois | $45,687 | $21.96 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $53,083 | $25.52 |
| 9 | Alaska | $57,263 | $27.53 |
| 10 | Michigan | $41,088 | $19.75 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $43,222 | $20.78 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $45,962 | $22.10 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $39,655 | $19.06 |
| 14 | Montana | $41,452 | $19.93 |
| 15 | California | $44,674 | $21.48 |
| 16 | Oregon | $38,263 | $18.40 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $41,928 | $20.16 |
| 18 | Louisiana | $37,386 | $17.97 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $40,354 | $19.40 |
| 20 | Florida | $38,013 | $18.28 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| 22 | Nevada | $40,375 | $19.41 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| 24 | Iowa | $36,441 | $17.52 |
| 25 | Maryland | $38,707 | $18.61 |
| 26 | Indiana | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $34,721 | $16.69 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $37,947 | $18.24 |
| 29 | Idaho | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| 30 | Delaware | $36,047 | $17.33 |
| 31 | Kansas | $33,383 | $16.05 |
| 32 | Virginia | $33,628 | $16.17 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $31,596 | $15.19 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $36,195 | $17.40 |
| 36 | Colorado | $31,595 | $15.19 |
| 37 | Missouri | $35,207 | $16.93 |
| 38 | Maine | $34,212 | $16.45 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $29,862 | $14.36 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $29,307 | $14.09 |
| 41 | Ohio | $32,813 | $15.78 |
| 42 | Utah | $32,547 | $15.65 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $24,687 | $11.87 |
| 44 | Alabama | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| 45 | Texas | $28,443 | $13.67 |
| 46 | Georgia | $32,470 | $15.61 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $30,253 | $14.54 |
| 48 | Arizona | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $22,583 | $10.86 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $28,907 | $13.90 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $24,306 | $11.69 |
Highest paying cities for foreign language professors
The highest-paying cities for foreign language professors are Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, and Detroit, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $48,115 | $23.13 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $46,975 | $22.58 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $41,113 | $19.77 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $39,854 | $19.16 |
| 5 | Gillette, WY | $38,926 | $18.71 |
| 6 | Gresham, OR | $38,371 | $18.45 |
| 7 | Bellevue, NE | $36,754 | $17.67 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $35,289 | $16.97 |
| 9 | Rapid City, SD | $34,986 | $16.82 |
| 10 | Charleston, SC | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| 11 | Huntsville, AL | $30,854 | $14.83 |
| 12 | Little Rock, AR | $28,929 | $13.91 |
Foreign language professor salary details
A foreign language professor's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $49,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a foreign language professor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $33,622 | $2,802 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying foreign language professor jobs
The highest paying types of foreign language professors are professor, german instructor, and russian language instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Teacher | $52,445 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 54,666 |
| Instructor Of Spanish | $54,930 | $4,578 | $26.41 | 25,516 |
| Language Teacher | $51,413 | $4,284 | $24.72 | 74,479 |
| English Language Teacher | $57,831 | $4,819 | $27.80 | 74,779 |
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
| Language Instructor | $57,946 | $4,829 | $27.86 | 45,062 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for foreign language professors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Larry Herzberg Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Asian Languages, Director of Asian Studies, Calvin University
Suppose you only have a B.A. in Asia-related subjects. In that case, you will need to seek a job in the business world, in government work, or in gaining expertise in computers so that you can combine your knowledge of an East Asian language with a job that pays a decent salary.
Top companies hiring foreign language professors now:
Which companies pay foreign language professors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery County Community College | $47,264 | $22.72 |
| 2 | The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | $35,316 | $16.98 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Foreign language professor salary trends
The average foreign language professor salary has risen by $4,948 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average foreign language professor earned $28,674 annually, but today, they earn $33,622 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for foreign language professors over the last decade.
Compare foreign language professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average foreign language professor salary over time
Compare foreign language professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Foreign language professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,600 | $16.16 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | $33,700 | $16.18 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $32,500 | $15.64 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $31,300 | $15.03 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $30,500 | $14.68 | +3.3% |
Recently added foreign language professor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford County Schools | Licensed-Foreign Language Spanish (2) | Greensboro, NC | 02/19/2025 | $57,900 |
| Guilford County Schools | Licensed-Foreign Language Spanish (3) | Greensboro, NC | 02/16/2025 | $57,900 |
| Webmall.Us | Foreign Language Teaching Position Open NOW | Columbus, OH | 12/10/2024 | $48,600 |
| Tactical Revolution | Foreign Language Role Player-Tagalog | Virginia Beach, VA | 10/04/2024 | $41,740 |
| Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania | Lecturer In A Foreign Language | Philadelphia, PA | 03/13/2024 | $56,500 |
| Community Consolidated School District 15 | Foreign Language Spanish | Palatine, IL | 10/05/2023 | $33,914 |
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