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Student instructor salary
Average student instructor salary
$49,436
Understanding Student Instructor Salaries
As of October 2025, the average annual salary for a Student Instructor stands at $49,436. This salary reflects the significant role that student instructors play in educational settings, often requiring a combination of teaching skills and subject expertise. Salaries can vary widely depending on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and the type of institution (e.g., public vs. private schools).
Salary Variations by State
For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for qualified instructors. Conversely, states with lower living costs may present opportunities with more modest compensation. Understanding these regional dynamics is crucial for prospective instructors seeking to maximize their earning potential.
Top Paying Cities
In addition to state variations, certain cities also present lucrative opportunities for student instructors. Major urban centers often have a higher demand for educational roles, resulting in competitive salaries. Exploring job postings in these areas can provide insight into potential earnings and job availability.
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Where can a Student Instructor earn more?
Average student instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for student instructors are California, Massachusetts, and Maryland. The lowest average student instructor salary states are Kentucky, Arkansas, and Colorado.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for student instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $55,871 | $26.86 |
| 2 | New York | $55,191 | $26.53 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $52,508 | $25.24 |
| 4 | Maine | $51,735 | $24.87 |
| 5 | New Mexico | $48,293 | $23.22 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $53,170 | $25.56 |
| 7 | California | $57,157 | $27.48 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $56,143 | $26.99 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $45,406 | $21.83 |
| 10 | Idaho | $45,517 | $21.88 |
| 11 | Texas | $48,167 | $23.16 |
| 12 | Illinois | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| 13 | Oregon | $45,771 | $22.01 |
| 14 | Arizona | $42,757 | $20.56 |
| 15 | Delaware | $43,158 | $20.75 |
| 16 | Alaska | $43,889 | $21.10 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $42,171 | $20.27 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $46,487 | $22.35 |
| 19 | Nevada | $40,266 | $19.36 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $42,615 | $20.49 |
| 21 | Michigan | $40,563 | $19.50 |
| 22 | Indiana | $44,273 | $21.29 |
| 23 | Vermont | $39,786 | $19.13 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $41,399 | $19.90 |
| 25 | Washington | $46,753 | $22.48 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $43,046 | $20.70 |
| 27 | Montana | $37,758 | $18.15 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $38,017 | $18.28 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $41,003 | $19.71 |
| 30 | Florida | $40,294 | $19.37 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $37,404 | $17.98 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $35,405 | $17.02 |
| 33 | Alabama | $40,782 | $19.61 |
| 34 | District of Columbia | $47,094 | $22.64 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $37,403 | $17.98 |
| 36 | Virginia | $39,193 | $18.84 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $36,243 | $17.42 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $36,134 | $17.37 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $35,048 | $16.85 |
| 40 | Utah | $37,334 | $17.95 |
| 41 | Georgia | $35,499 | $17.07 |
| 42 | Ohio | $35,548 | $17.09 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $34,549 | $16.61 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $35,602 | $17.12 |
| 45 | Colorado | $31,892 | $15.33 |
| 46 | Iowa | $31,724 | $15.25 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $31,085 | $14.94 |
| 48 | Missouri | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| 49 | Kansas | $31,334 | $15.06 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $32,000 | $15.38 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $31,975 | $15.37 |
Highest paying cities for student instructors
The highest-paying cities for student instructors are Bakersfield, CA, Boston, MA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield, CA | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $56,036 | $26.94 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $55,662 | $26.76 |
| 4 | Frisco, TX | $45,551 | $21.90 |
| 5 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $43,028 | $20.69 |
| 6 | Casa Grande, AZ | $42,456 | $20.41 |
| 7 | Flint, MI | $40,869 | $19.65 |
| 8 | Gainesville, FL | $38,990 | $18.75 |
Student instructor salary details
A student instructor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $74,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a student instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| Average | $49,436 | $4,120 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying student instructor jobs
The highest paying types of student instructors are adjunct faculty, adjunct lecturer, and lecturer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Lecturer | $79,657 | $6,638 | $38.30 | 26,546 |
| Teaching Fellow | $44,040 | $3,670 | $21.17 | 40,551 |
| Adjunct Faculty | $83,069 | $6,922 | $39.94 | 26,791 |
| Lecturer | $61,988 | $5,166 | $29.80 | 26,449 |
| Instructor, Adjunct Faculty | $52,225 | $4,352 | $25.11 | 37,739 |
| Instructor Of Spanish | $54,930 | $4,578 | $26.41 | 25,516 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for student 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 student instructors the most?
Student instructor salaries at Kern Community College District and Columbia University in the City of New York are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average student instructor salary at companies like Boston College and University of Michigan are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $126,269 | $60.71 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $68,061 | $32.72 |
| 3 | Boston College | $57,054 | $27.43 |
| 4 | University of Michigan | $56,266 | $27.05 |
| 5 | Allianz of America, Inc. | $47,371 | $22.77 |
| 6 | The Menta Group | $46,921 | $22.56 |
| 7 | University of Hawaii Foundation | $43,852 | $21.08 |
| 8 | Parkhill | $43,109 | $20.73 |
| 9 | Mohawk Valley Community College | $42,603 | $20.48 |
| 10 | Henry Clay High School | $39,872 | $19.17 |
| 11 | University of Florida | $33,543 | $16.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Student instructor salary trends
The average student instructor salary has risen by $8,063 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average student instructor earned $41,373 annually, but today, they earn $49,436 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for student instructors over the last decade.
Compare student instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average student instructor salary over time
Compare student instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Student instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,400 | $23.77 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $48,400 | $23.29 | +7.8% |
| 2023 | $44,600 | $21.46 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $43,000 | $20.67 | -5.5% |
| 2021 | $45,400 | $21.81 | +10.0% |
Recently added student instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | Math/Student Success Instructor | Tell City, IN | 06/17/2025 | $93,915 |
| Lawrence Public Schools | Dean of Students & Instruction | Lawrence, MA | 06/17/2025 | $91,250 |
| East Windsor Regional School District | Student Kidcare Instructor | Downe, NJ | 06/12/2025 | $33,392 |
| East Windsor Regional Schools | Student Kidcare Instructor | Hightstown, NJ | 06/12/2025 | $33,392 |
| University of Utah | UU Student-Instruction | Salt Lake City, UT | 06/11/2025 | $41,740 |
| American Preparatory Academy | Sistema Student Instructor School Year | West Valley City, UT | 06/05/2025 | $15,966 |
| Columbia University In The City of New York | Non-Student Short-Term Casual | Fine, NY | 05/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| University of Utah | UU Student-Instruction | Salt Lake City, UT | 05/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Clatsop Care Center Health District | Nursing Assistant Student Instructor, RN | Astoria, OR | 05/24/2025 | $66,784 |
| Oregon State University | Craft Center Ceramics Student Instructor | Corvallis, OR | 05/20/2025 | $30,679 |
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