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Head instructor salary
Average head instructor salary
$47,768
Understanding the Head Instructor Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a head instructor is $47,768 annually, which translates to about $23 per hour. This salary can vary based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution. For example, head instructors in California and New York typically earn more than those in less populated states.
Where to Find Higher Salaries
States like New Jersey and Massachusetts are known for offering some of the highest salaries for head instructors. Additionally, institutions that focus on specialized education programs often provide enhanced compensation packages. By considering opportunities in these regions, educators can maximize their earning potential.
Job Opportunities
For those interested in pursuing a career as a head instructor, various job openings are available across different educational sectors. From public schools to private institutions, the demand for experienced educators continues to grow. Utilize platforms like Zippia to explore job listings tailored to your qualifications and career goals.
Let Zippia find your next head instructor job
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Where can a Head Instructor earn more?
Head instructor salary estimates from across the web
Average head instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for head instructors are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The lowest average head instructor salary states are Arkansas, Iowa, and Montana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for head instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $79,845 | $38.39 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $85,056 | $40.89 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $80,546 | $38.72 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $71,946 | $34.59 |
| 5 | Delaware | $66,669 | $32.05 |
| 6 | Virginia | $65,759 | $31.61 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $75,187 | $36.15 |
| 8 | Maine | $68,343 | $32.86 |
| 9 | Vermont | $68,979 | $33.16 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $54,475 | $26.19 |
| 11 | New York | $61,606 | $29.62 |
| 12 | Maryland | $64,483 | $31.00 |
| 13 | Illinois | $62,402 | $30.00 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $63,453 | $30.51 |
| 15 | Michigan | $53,534 | $25.74 |
| 16 | Nevada | $54,338 | $26.12 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $55,417 | $26.64 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $62,746 | $30.17 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $71,595 | $34.42 |
| 20 | Texas | $55,591 | $26.73 |
| 21 | California | $53,486 | $25.71 |
| 22 | Washington | $56,891 | $27.35 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $54,188 | $26.05 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $56,728 | $27.27 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $49,825 | $23.95 |
| 26 | Colorado | $47,544 | $22.86 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $46,459 | $22.34 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| 29 | Arizona | $52,439 | $25.21 |
| 30 | Georgia | $46,285 | $22.25 |
| 31 | Utah | $49,798 | $23.94 |
| 32 | Oregon | $46,165 | $22.19 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $52,219 | $25.11 |
| 34 | Indiana | $52,589 | $25.28 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $51,846 | $24.93 |
| 36 | Florida | $45,894 | $22.06 |
| 37 | Ohio | $44,913 | $21.59 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $43,246 | $20.79 |
| 39 | Montana | $37,736 | $18.14 |
| 40 | Alaska | $38,923 | $18.71 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $40,898 | $19.66 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $41,211 | $19.81 |
| 43 | Kansas | $42,999 | $20.67 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $44,485 | $21.39 |
| 45 | Iowa | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $40,804 | $19.62 |
| 47 | Missouri | $39,617 | $19.05 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $36,741 | $17.66 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $38,567 | $18.54 |
| 50 | Idaho | $34,580 | $16.63 |
| 51 | Alabama | $34,718 | $16.69 |
Highest paying cities for head instructors
The highest-paying cities for head instructors are Randolph, NJ, Washington, DC, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randolph, NJ | $71,858 | $34.55 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $61,408 | $29.52 |
| 5 | Oakland, CA | $56,313 | $27.07 |
| 6 | Allen, TX | $54,905 | $26.40 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $54,021 | $25.97 |
| 8 | Loveland, CO | $46,877 | $22.54 |
| 9 | Savannah, GA | $46,137 | $22.18 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $43,797 | $21.06 |
| 11 | Las Cruces, NM | $42,301 | $20.34 |
Head instructor salary details
A head instructor's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $98,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a head instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $98,000 | $8,167 | $47 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| Average | $47,768 | $3,981 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying head instructor jobs
The highest paying types of head instructors are certified instructor, instructor, and coach/instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence School Instructor | $42,601 | $3,550 | $20.48 | 67,548 |
| Martial Arts Instructor | $34,287 | $2,857 | $16.48 | 24,925 |
| Learning Center Instructor | $33,129 | $2,761 | $15.93 | 59,893 |
| Life Skills Instructor | $30,844 | $2,570 | $14.83 | 64,039 |
| Education Instructor | $37,103 | $3,092 | $17.84 | 46,335 |
| Coach/Instructor | $52,182 | $4,349 | $25.09 | 40,986 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for head instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
David McMahan Ph.D.
Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College
Top companies hiring head instructors now:
Which companies pay head instructors the most?
Head instructor salaries at V-Soft Consulting and Eurasia Group are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average head instructor salary at companies like University of Rochester and Johns Hopkins University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | V-Soft Consulting | $95,236 | $45.79 |
| 2 | Eurasia Group | $93,409 | $44.91 |
| 3 | University of Rochester | $64,962 | $31.23 |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University | $59,678 | $28.69 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina | $58,734 | $28.24 |
| 6 | Illinois Institute of Technology | $57,497 | $27.64 |
| 7 | Ilitch Holdings | $57,247 | $27.52 |
| 8 | Auburn University | $56,045 | $26.94 |
| 9 | Virginia's Community Colleges | $54,805 | $26.35 |
| 10 | Jacksonville State University | $54,423 | $26.16 |
| 11 | Rock Island Senior High School | $38,999 | $18.75 |
| 12 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $37,799 | $18.17 |
| 13 | City of Las Cruces Government | $34,474 | $16.57 |
| 14 | Oakland Public Library | $34,033 | $16.36 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Head instructor salary trends
The average head instructor salary has risen by $11,178 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average head instructor earned $36,590 annually, but today, they earn $47,768 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for head instructors over the last decade.
Compare head instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average head instructor salary over time
Compare head instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Head instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,800 | $22.97 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $47,600 | $22.90 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $47,000 | $22.57 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $46,200 | $22.23 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $45,000 | $21.63 | +5.2% |
Recently added head instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of San Juan, Texas | (28) Assistant Head Instructor | San Juan, TX | 05/02/2025 | $29,218 |
| M Lab Ohio LLC | Head Instructor | Columbus, OH | 01/03/2025 | $25,044 |
| Academy of Art University | Instructor, Head of Physical Production | San Francisco, CA | 12/07/2024 | $38,964 |
| M Lab Ohio LLC | Head Instructor | Columbus, OH | 12/02/2024 | $25,044 |
| JCCs of North America | JR Company Head Instructor | Stamford, CT | 09/26/2024 | $25,000 |
| Orion Systems Integrators LLC | Practice Head-GEN AI | Edison, NJ | 06/06/2024 | $250,000 |
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