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Job outlook for sign language teachers in the United States
Are sign language teacher jobs in demand?
Sign language teacher job and salary trends over time
Sign language teacher jobs over time
Sign language teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 238 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 276 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 301 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 310 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 330 | 0.00% |
Average sign language teacher salary over time
Sign language teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $54,210 | $26.06 | --0.1% |
| 2025 | $54,264 | $26.09 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $52,442 | $25.21 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $50,403 | $24.23 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $49,232 | $23.67 | +3.5% |
Sign language teacher jobs by state
Most common states for sign language teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 417 | 31% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 151 | 24% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 136 | 20% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,219 | 18% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 171 | 18% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,008 | 17% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 317 | 15% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 158 | 15% |
| 9 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,832 | 14% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,158 | 14% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 788 | 14% |
| 12 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 401 | 14% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,168 | 13% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 746 | 13% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 400 | 13% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 255 | 13% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 233 | 13% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,191 | 12% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 605 | 12% |
| 20 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,221 | 11% |
Most common cities for sign language teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $56,122 |
Sign Language Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sign language teacher experts
The University of Texas at Arlington
Union University
Macalester College
University of Iowa
Arizona State University
East Los Angeles College
Arkansas State University
University of La Verne
North Dakota State University
Howard University
What general advice would you give to a Sign Language Teacher?
Dr. Lisalee Egbert: In working with the Deaf Community - either with children or adults - language skills in ASL as well as allyship and/or advocacy should be focused on.
What Sign Language Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Lisalee Egbert: While skills in a given area in our field (such as ASL and educational understanding in Deaf Ed, ASL/English proficiency in interpreting, etc.) is paramount, learning and interaction WITH and FOR the Deaf Community should be a close 2nd!
What will help Sign Language Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Lisalee Egbert: In working with any Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D in Deaf should always be capitalized), someone graduating in the field should be fluent in ASL and deeply award of Deaf Culture. From that point, graduates should ensure to secure certification/license/certificates in the given field (ASL interpreting, Deaf Education, etc).
What soft skills should all Sign Language Teachers possess?
Julie Glosson: -Positive attitude
-Adaptability
-Ability to be a team player as well as work independently
-Willingness to grow and learn from mistakes
What skills will help Sign Language Teachers earn the most?
Julie Glosson: -Completed Terminal Degree (professors)
-Publications (professors)
-Other scholarly material (professors)
-Specialization in another area (either professor or K12 teacher)
-State certifications (K12 teachers)
-Other types of certifications or affiliations (either professor or K12 teacher)
Nanette Scott Goldman
Senior Lecturer in the Classical Mediterranean and Middle EastMacalester College
Department of the Classical Mediterranean and Middle East
What skills stand out on Sign Language Teacher resumes?
Nanette Scott Goldman: Language fluency and teaching experience.
Dr. Irina Kostina
Associate Professor of Instruction, The Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Russian ProgramUniversity of Iowa
Division of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sign Language Teachers?
Dr. Irina Kostina: Certifications, computer skills, writing, language, and presentation skills.
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Spanish and Latin American CulturesArizona State University
Languages and Cultures
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sign Language Teachers?
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.: Hard skills for languages and cultures are somehow flexible. Instructors need to know about new pedagogies, digital humanities, educational technologies, and social media literacy. But all these requirements change very fast, so instructors should evidence knowledge of all these hard skills and the ability to adapt fast to new ones. The present pandemic had demonstrated how most instructors quickly adapted to new virtual classrooms. We ought to always be ready for any change. For this and other pedagogical reasons, adaptability is one of the most needed values in language education.
Diane Renée Mannone
Associate Professor of EnglishEast Los Angeles College
English Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sign Language Teachers?
Diane Renée Mannone: Technical literacy and the ability to teach in myriad environments with diverse students.
Dr. Vicent Moreno Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator of World Languages and CulturesArkansas State University
Department of English, Philosophy, and World Languages
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sign Language Teachers?
Dr. Vicent Moreno Ph.D.: I wouldn't say that there is one course or certification that has a bigger impact. In general, bilingualism or the ability to communicate in a language other than English with clients is definitely what most employers will be looking for. In addition to this, skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, intercultural competence, and public speaking are always sought after by employers across all markets and industries. Any degree in Romance Languages should provide you with the skills I just mentioned through the classes offered, regardless of its focus in literature and culture or language.
However, depending on which field you want to work in, you may want to pursue a level of specialization through specific credentials. For example, certificates such as Spanish for the Professions have become increasingly popular for graduates who want to have an edge when applying for jobs in law enforcement, health professions, or business, among others. Those who wish to teach K-12 will usually need a specific state license and a BSE degree in the target language. In some other cases, like for those wanting to teach in Higher Education or become a certified translator or interpreter, a Masters or a PhD in the language will typically be required.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sign Language Teachers?
Dr. Vicent Moreno Ph.D.: I don't think there will be an enduring impact, at least not in a negative sense. I can see how, for certain professions, the old models of working 9-5 in an office space might have been disrupted and perhaps changed forever as a result of the pandemic. Thus, flexibility and ability to work from home might be key assets for graduates entering the job market. A similar situation applies to graduates wishing to work in the education field, which is the career of choice for a lot of graduates in Romance Languages. The ability and willingness to work both remotely and in person are very important elements that the pandemic has brought about and will probably stay on even after the crisis is over. Related to this, online education has gained even more momentum, exacerbated by the need to work from home. In this sense, the skills to develop engaging pedagogical materials for use in online or hybrid classes will definitely be a must in the years to come for those entering the field now.
Dr. Ann Hills
Associate Professor of Spanish & ChairUniversity of La Verne
Modern Languages Department
What's a good job out of college for Sign Language Teachers?
Dr. Ann Hills: The coronavirus has had a devastating effect on many industries and, by extension, job options. Pre-pandemic, I would routinely suggest that language students consider positions in countries in which their language(s) of study are spoken. Many recent graduates teach English abroad right out of college, allowing them to earn money as well as cross-cultural and professional experience; current times have made such opportunities more challenging.
Nevertheless, I believe that graduates with degrees in languages and cultures have skill sets and knowledge that can be translated (pardon the pun) into many fields that continue to be in high demand-indeed, into some fields that are in even higher demand as a result of the pandemic, such as education, healthcare and community engagement. Students of language and culture tend to have a highly developed sense of understanding of, empathy for, and often experience communicating and working with, diverse populations; organizations and private sector employers are realizing that these are critical traits in today's global society and markets, as are concerns for inclusion and equity. In addition to positions that specifically require multilingualism, those that call for critical thinking, superior verbal and written communication skills, and linguistic sophistication should be a good fit for language majors as well.
There are many variables that make a job "good," of course: a livable wage, a reasonable work-life balance, a supportive and respectful environment, a rewarding work product... If you're not fortunate enough to attain your dream job right away-few people are!-take stock of your true passions and future career goals. Consider an entry level job in your desired field or an allied field: this allows you to bank valuable knowledge and experience in that area as you give it a "test drive." If you're interested in education but don't find an available teaching position, apply as a tutor, teaching assistant or substitute teacher. If your passion is literary translation, earn some practical experience working for a commercial translation company.
It's my hope that with determination, creativity and a strong work ethic, we can face the challenges occasioned by the pandemic and find new opportunities for productive collaborations.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sign Language Teachers?
Eric Ross: I think the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on 2021 graduates will be profound and long-lasting. The job market wasn't great even before COVID, and the overall economic damage caused by the pandemic has made things worse.
Dana Williams Ph.D.
Professor of African American Literature, Interim Dean of the Graduate SchoolHoward University
Department of English
What type of skills will young Sign Language Teachers need?
Dana Williams Ph.D.: English majors, really all humanities majors, are the best hires if you're looking for writing and critical thinking skills. English majors are imaginative, creative, and great readers of culture. This will serve them well. English majors tend to be curious, too, so they do well with one of the most excellent skills we need today--a commitment to lifelong learning.