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The average salary for a literature teacher in the United States stands at $56,543 annually, which breaks down to about $27 per hour. Salaries can vary considerably based on location, experience, and educational background. For instance, literature teachers in states like California and New York often earn more than their counterparts in less populous regions.
Experience greatly impacts earning potential. New teachers typically start at lower salaries, while those with several years in the field can command significantly higher wages. Additionally, specialized roles or advanced degrees can also lead to increased compensation.
Literature teachers have the chance to expand their careers into administrative or leadership positions, which can enhance their earning potential. Engaging with professional organizations and continuous education can also play a pivotal role in career advancement.
Overall, literature teaching is not only a fulfilling career but also offers competitive salaries and opportunities for growth.
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The average literature teacher salary in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average literature teacher salary states are Tennessee, Idaho, and Mississippi.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $92,014 | $44.24 |
| 2 | Maryland | $88,618 | $42.60 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| 5 | New York | $84,192 | $40.48 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $67,106 | $32.26 |
| 7 | Delaware | $77,809 | $37.41 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $88,663 | $42.63 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $76,428 | $36.74 |
| 10 | Vermont | $82,835 | $39.82 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $67,884 | $32.64 |
| 12 | Illinois | $62,948 | $30.26 |
| 13 | Nevada | $60,927 | $29.29 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $66,368 | $31.91 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $62,039 | $29.83 |
| 17 | Washington | $68,800 | $33.08 |
| 18 | Ohio | $63,576 | $30.57 |
| 19 | Michigan | $57,929 | $27.85 |
| 20 | Iowa | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| 21 | Virginia | $64,068 | $30.80 |
| 22 | Kansas | $56,428 | $27.13 |
| 23 | Alaska | $67,225 | $32.32 |
| 24 | Oregon | $62,950 | $30.26 |
| 25 | Georgia | $57,366 | $27.58 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| 27 | Utah | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| 28 | California | $59,916 | $28.81 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $57,283 | $27.54 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $53,477 | $25.71 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $53,395 | $25.67 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $48,618 | $23.37 |
| 33 | Texas | $51,833 | $24.92 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| 35 | Florida | $50,165 | $24.12 |
| 36 | Colorado | $47,317 | $22.75 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $51,353 | $24.69 |
| 38 | Arizona | $47,137 | $22.66 |
| 39 | Indiana | $46,586 | $22.40 |
| 40 | Alabama | $51,966 | $24.98 |
| 41 | Missouri | $48,436 | $23.29 |
| 42 | Maine | $51,426 | $24.72 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $46,548 | $22.38 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $49,528 | $23.81 |
| 45 | Montana | $41,021 | $19.72 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $52,793 | $25.38 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $46,581 | $22.39 |
| 48 | Idaho | $45,424 | $21.84 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $37,967 | $18.25 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $43,363 | $20.85 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $39,617 | $19.05 |
The highest-paying cities for literature teachers are Cambridge, MA, Mamaroneck, NY, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge, MA | $86,604 | $41.64 |
| 2 | Mamaroneck, NY | $84,529 | $40.64 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $76,504 | $36.78 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $65,398 | $31.44 |
| 5 | Harrisonburg, VA | $64,679 | $31.10 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $63,607 | $30.58 |
| 7 | Lauderhill, FL | $50,217 | $24.14 |
| 8 | New Orleans, LA | $46,707 | $22.46 |
| 9 | Memphis, TN | $44,842 | $21.56 |
A literature teacher's salary ranges from $39,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $81,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $81,000 | $6,750 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| Average | $56,543 | $4,712 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
The highest paying types of literature teachers are science teacher, student teacher, and reading teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Internship | $48,398 | $4,033 | $23.27 | 105,496 |
| Language Arts Teacher | $51,969 | $4,331 | $24.99 | 88,551 |
| Spanish Teacher | $52,445 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 54,666 |
| Reading Teacher | $55,452 | $4,621 | $26.66 | 68,234 |
| Biology Teacher | $51,721 | $4,310 | $24.87 | 68,958 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
Top companies hiring literature teachers now:
Literature teacher salaries at French-American School of New York and Grace Church School are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average literature teacher salary at companies like St. Paul's School and French American International School are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French-American School of New York | $73,501 | $35.34 |
| 2 | Grace Church School | $63,521 | $30.54 |
| 3 | St. Paul's School | $55,705 | $26.78 |
| 4 | French American International School | $50,896 | $24.47 |
| 5 | Washington International School | $50,173 | $24.12 |
| 6 | Bright Horizons | $46,525 | $22.37 |
| 7 | James Madison University | $45,769 | $22.00 |
| 8 | Kenilworth Science and Technology School | $41,055 | $19.74 |
The average literature teacher salary has risen by $7,734 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average literature teacher earned $48,809 annually, but today, they earn $56,543 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for literature teachers over the last decade.
Compare literature teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare literature teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,500 | $27.18 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $55,500 | $26.66 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $54,200 | $26.08 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $53,200 | $25.58 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $52,200 | $25.09 | +1.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake Academy | Teacher-English/Literature (9TH & 10Th Grade)-187 Days | Westlake, TX | 05/13/2025 | $61,000 |
| Mechon Hadar | Teacher of Rabbinic Literature | New York, NY | 02/28/2025 | $152,080 |
| The International School of San Francisco | English Literature Teacher Upper School-Starts August 2025 | San Francisco, CA | 02/21/2025 | $66,404 |
| Lakes International Language Academy | Communication Arts and Literature Teacher) | Nore, MN | 02/21/2025 | $39,500 |
| California Department of Education | History & Literature Teacher-Immaculate Heart of Mary School | San Francisco, CA | 02/21/2025 | $56,953 |
| District of Columbia International School | Spanish Language & Literature Teacher | Ione, WA | 02/18/2025 | $105,575 |
| District of Columbia International School | Spanish Language & Literature Teacher | Washington, DC | 01/09/2025 | $63,113 |
| District of Columbia International School | Spanish Language & Literature Teacher | Ione, WA | 01/03/2025 | $63,113 |
| Dc International School | Spanish Language & Literature Teacher Washington, D.C. | Ione, WA | 12/11/2024 | $105,575 |
| C2 Education | AP Literature Teacher | Palo Alto, CA | 10/15/2024 | $43,827 |
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