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Job outlook for spanish language lecturers in the United States
Are spanish language lecturer jobs in demand?
Spanish language lecturer job and salary trends over time
Spanish language lecturer jobs over time
Spanish language lecturer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,029 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,355 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,568 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,644 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,814 | 0.00% |
Average spanish language lecturer salary over time
Spanish language lecturer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60,290 | $28.99 | --0.1% |
| 2025 | $60,351 | $29.01 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $58,324 | $28.04 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $56,057 | $26.95 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $54,755 | $26.32 | +3.5% |
Spanish language lecturer jobs by state
Most common states for spanish language lecturers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 256 | 19% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 117 | 19% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 253 | 14% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 642 | 9% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 89 | 9% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 595 | 7% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 190 | 7% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 138 | 7% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 385 | 6% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 355 | 6% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 231 | 6% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 198 | 6% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 116 | 6% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 61 | 6% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 52 | 6% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 44 | 6% |
| 17 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,133 | 5% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 688 | 5% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 389 | 5% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 32 | 5% |
Most common cities for spanish language lecturers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral Gables | 2 | 4% | $59,309 |
| 2 | Lawrence | 2 | 2% | $53,093 |
Spanish Language Lecturer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of spanish language lecturer experts
Northern Michigan University
SUNY Stony Brook
Mercy College
Union University
University of Iowa
Arizona State University
East Los Angeles College
Concordia University
Southwestern College
Pennsylvania State University Altoona
Arkansas State University
University of La Verne
North Dakota State University
Rutgers University
Concordia College
Chestnut Hill College
Furman University
Iowa State University
Christopher Newport University
What general advice would you give to a Spanish Language Lecturer?
Juan de la Puente Herrero: - As precarious as things are looking for people from my generation, the fields of Romance Languages and Linguistics have an advantage that has gotten me out of more than one financial distress: they are incredibly versatile. If you acquire the necessary skills for it (and don't skip the step of actually learning them, please), you can quickly pick up different 'side hustles' that require minimal infrastructure. However, the idea of turning them into your main source of income could quickly become flimsy and unstable. You don't want to be the person who relies solely on occasional students to tutor, translations to complete, or texts to proofread.
If you do want to maximize your salary potential in this field with a single source of income, you are going to have to deal with a tremendous amount of bureaucracy, technical requirements, and elitism. If your dream profession in this field involves teaching and being financially stable, you probably want to look into getting a PhD. In order to get there, you need to carefully study how willing you are to remain broke for a few years, even though there isn't a tenured job assured at the other end of the tunnel. On a brighter note, I have met lots of lecturers in higher education who enjoy a comfortable salary and a peaceful work life, but in order to get there, most of them had to suffer through multiple precarious contracts and on-and-off appointments, which are very stressful situations to be on, specially for non-citizens like me.
I hope that my answers don't discourage anyone from getting into this field. I just described the ugliest parts of working in it, but I would be more than happy to dedicate double the words to explaining the things that I enjoy about working with languages and Linguistics.
Dr. Sarah Jourdain
Chair, Department of Languages & Cultural Studies, Director, World Language Teacher PreparationSUNY Stony Brook
Area Studies
What general advice would you give to a Spanish Language Lecturer?
Dr. Sarah Jourdain: For those starting a career in the field of languages and cultural studies, maximizing salary potential can be achieved by becoming certified in a minimum of two fields (e.g., French and Spanish, or a World Language and TESOL). This certification provides greater job flexibility and can lead to increased earning potential.
What Spanish Language Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Sarah Jourdain: The ability to speak another language, understand other cultures, and possess intercultural competence will become increasingly important and prevalent in various fields including International Business, Government work, NGOs, and translation/interpretation. There is a growing demand for World Language teachers, Bilingual teachers, and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in the K-12 school system.
What will help Spanish Language Lecturers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sarah Jourdain: The ability to speak another language, and understand other cultures, is of great benefit in many fields including International Business, work for Governments as well as NGOs, and translation and interpretation to name just a few. Intercultural competence, paired with language ability, makes most people more marketable in their chosen fields. I'm best able to speak specifically about those preparing to become K-12 language teachers since that is the population of students I work most closely with. There is a growing demand for World Language teachers, as well as Bilingual teachers, and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in the K-12 school system. It is an excellent time to enter the teaching profession. For those wishing to become teachers, it is advisable to become certified in a minimum of two fields (French and Spanish, for example, or a World Language and TESOL). This provides a greater range of job flexibility.
What general advice would you give to a Spanish Language Lecturer?
Dr. Alan Hartman: Again, there are many fields that students enter after completing their major in Spanish. I feel a major key to success is to get a graduate degree immediately after finishing one's undergraduate degree, which beginning next semester will be possible at Mercy University through our five-year programs in Spanish & TESOL and Spanish & MBA Programs.
What Spanish Language Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alan Hartman: Being fluent in two or more languages is essential in today's work. We are becoming increasingly globalized and tethered together as a world community. The more languages one speaks, reads, understands, and writes fluently the more opportunities one will find. Many people speak a second language, especially in New York, however very few can command a professional level of cultural or linguistic fluency in more than one language. Understanding another culture and language is power, and the more languages one speaks fluently while also holding an elevated level of cultural understanding, the more opportunities of all kinds will become apparent.
I think it is also important to note that there is a record lack of languages teachers in general at the moment and this is one field into which many of our graduates enter. Italian, French, Spanish, and TESOL teachers are all in tremendous need and now is an excellent moment for new teachers to find immediate, meaningful, and well-paying positions with excellent benefits.
Similarly, many government agencies, among them the FBI, Foreign Service, and others, are actively seeking to attract recent graduates into their field and a background in languages well positions future candidates who wish to do so.
What will help Spanish Language Lecturers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Alan Hartman: There are many fields that students enter from the Spanish Major. Studying abroad is one of the most important first steps for undergraduates if possible. After that, being active culturally in the Hispanic world is key; attending museum exhibits, conference talks, and generally finding reasons to mix with people who are active in the field while also informing oneself of key topics and happenings. Once the student begins to do these things, the field opens before them and those inside are eager to welcome enthusiastic and active newcomers that have a proven record of activity.
What skills will help Spanish Language Lecturers 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)
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 Spanish Language Lecturers?
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 Spanish Language Lecturers?
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 soft skills should all Spanish Language Lecturers possess?
Diane Renée Mannone: Working well with colleagues: collaborating, being a team player, involved in the department and campus, etc.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Spanish Language Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
John Norton Ph.D.: A need to communicate clearly and creatively through different medium
What technical skills for a Spanish Language Lecturer stand out to employers?
John Rieder: In English, we look for applicants with a demonstrated commitment to the populations we serve in the community college (not just lip service, but proven commitment). Former community-college students and those with peer tutoring experience are always wonderful. We also look for an interest in ongoing professional development, particularly professional development related to "high challenge, high support" classroom instruction, to anti-racist and culturally responsive pedagogy/andragogy, and to overall advancing a culture of care, guidance, equity, and community.
What experience really stands out on Spanish Language Lecturer resumes?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: All of us took language classes. Recruiters want to know how you are able to use the language; not how many years you studied or if you majored or minored, but can you sustain an intelligent conversation with a speaker in that language. Practical use, real life. Study abroad highly recommended. However, you need to differentiate between going abroad to party versus expanding your language and cultural skills.
Globalization--even among small farmers, small businesses--and population migrations make speaking a foreign language a substantial advantage in the job market, across fields, throughout the U.S. and abroad. Spanish, in particular, is highly sought after not only for companies/organizations with international business or connections, but also those operating only in the U.S. I have for years and still receive regular requests from legal, medical, corporate, non-profit organizations for written or in-person translations because they do not have enough people on site with this skill. These are well-paid.
Jobs of the future that we cannot even imagine now will benefit from and require the language and cultural skills that perspective employees can provide. Without sounding crass, and speaking specifically about Spanish, studies have shown that when 2 applicants with similar resumes apply for the same job, with the only difference being ability to speak Spanish, the applicant with Spanish-language skills will get the job the overwhelming majority of times and will be in the position to demand a higher salary, than the one who does not. Just a fact.
What Spanish Language Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.: Most important advice: Take initiative and be productive.
Find practical ways to use skills even if unpaid. Volunteer work is good. Use language skills. Technology skills. Exploit technology skills around the area of interest. If you want to be a teacher find out what software they are using today; what research skills are they utilize. Make sure you log your activities during the gap year especially those that relate to the area in which you want to work. If you want to go into finance, and you're working at a lawn service, understand and learn the business model and the accounting. If you're working at Starbucks (or in any commercial environment), get a chance to do inventories, learn about the ordering process and sources and suppliers for those orders; and how people are scheduled for work. All of that is relevant experience for business.
The CFO and recruiter for Keystone Staffing Solutions emphasized having evidence in your resume of of being productive during the gap time, no matter if it's one, two or three years. Evidence of being productive is what recruiters want to see on your resume: He stresses: "What did you do to expand your knowledge and skills not only in your selected area but beyond. BEING PRODUCTIVE for yourself proves to be an indicator of how productive you will be for me."
Still on gap year. How to go about it? Use teachers, friends, family, anyone in the field or related to it to provide guidance, insight, suggestions. This can lead to projects or experience that will help in learning and growth.
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 Spanish Language Lecturers?
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 Spanish Language Lecturers?
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.
How have salaries changed over time for Spanish Language Lecturers?
Dr. Vicent Moreno Ph.D.: This is hard to answer as it depends mostly on what job you do and the geographical location. It also depends on the level of education attained: those with Masters and PhDs tend to fare better in terms of salaries. In general, though, I would say that salaries for those in the field of languages have been stable throughout the years.
Dr. Ann Hills
Associate Professor of Spanish & ChairUniversity of La Verne
Modern Languages Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Spanish Language Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ann Hills: A general trend, regardless of profession, is adaptability: as technologies evolve to meet the demands of the so-called "new normal," so too must the workforce. Job applicants will need to demonstrate the willingness and ability to navigate a pandemic and post-pandemic landscape by adapting to changes in the way tasks are carried out. It's likely that organizations will retain work practices and modalities that have proved to be efficient, safer, reduce costs, or are otherwise beneficial, so it would behoove candidates to add the necessary skills to their skill set, such as the ability to work remotely and utilize current technologies in a productive way.
Many of our language graduates intend to pursue a job in education, which has undergone a radical transformation (as anyone who is a teacher, a student, or shares a household with a student can attest), and it seems likely that the remote/hybrid learning models will continue long after the pandemic. Beyond a working knowledge of Zoom and good bandwidth, educators will need to demonstrate pedagogical flexibility, innovation, and creativity; the ability to engage students; and empathy towards students.
Another trend is the influence of the healthcare profession-the fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy well before Covid-19-on other professions. In recent years, I've observed many alignments and collaborations between language professionals and the public health sector. Foreign language proficiency and cross-cultural knowledge and sensitivity are invaluable assets across many positions in healthcare organizations, such as translators and interpreters, hospital language & culture specialists, and public health policymakers, to name just a few.
What technical skills for a Spanish Language Lecturer stand out to employers?
Dr. Ann Hills: Most jobs these days require a modicum of technical skills, including those oriented around language and culture. In addition to solid research, critical thinking, written and oral skills-part and parcel of a language, literature or linguistics major's expertise-candidates are now expected to demonstrate more technical skills, such as information and multimodal literacies.
For educators at all levels of instruction, the conversion of in-person classes to distance learning has made competence in different types of "Edtech" (education technology) essential. Proficiency with videoconferencing platforms, virtual learning environments, collaboration software, and other digital technologies is extremely advantageous (if not obligatory!). Another impressive skill is website design.
It continues to be important to highlight the "soft skills," such as adaptability, creativity, time management, collaborative decision making and effective communication.
What's a good job out of college for Spanish Language Lecturers?
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 Spanish Language Lecturers?
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.
What's a good job out of college for Spanish Language Lecturers?
Eric Ross: First, many students of Classical Languages have two majors, with their career goals focused on the non-Classics field. Second, many of my students pursue either graduate or professional school, so they don't necessarily enter the work force immediately after graduation. Long term, they often want to be doctors, attorneys, academics, or politicians. Studying Classical Languages contributes to these goals by fostering analytical thinking and communication skills.
What technical skills for a Spanish Language Lecturer stand out to employers?
Eric Ross: Employers are looking for strong communication skills of both the modern and old-fashioned variety. Expertise in web design and social media are highly marketable. At the same time, employers are looking for people who are skilled writers and public speakers.
Marcy Schwartz Ph.D.
Professor and ChairRutgers University
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Spanish Language Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
Marcy Schwartz Ph.D.: We're going to see a shift in emphasis as some newer technologies have been taking off, and other job opportunities (such as tourism, travel, retail and hospitality) have retracted. Hopefully that retraction is temporary, and a gradual return to normal patterns in business, leisure, education, hotel and restaurant management, etc., will recover. Media work, marketing, tech support (in higher education, this is booming as we need more and more support for remote teaching and events), health professions, human resources, social services, and alternative energy sources and engineering seem to be strong.
What technical skills for a Spanish Language Lecturer stand out to employers?
Marcy Schwartz Ph.D.: This depends entirely on the industry and the type of work, but clearly the more digitally savvy, the better. World language skills are also key -- interpersonal skills are always valued and all areas of the work force need to prioritize hiring employees who speak languages other than English.
What's a good job out of college for Spanish Language Lecturers?
Marcy Schwartz Ph.D.: A good first job out of college should be a training ground in all kinds of professional and life skills. A job that requires multiple skills and tasks allows the candidate to be building professional skills in a broad way, for example, a position that requires marketing, grant writing, and customer relations keeps the candidate from being pigeon-holed in one industry or job sector. Make the most of every opportunity!
Dr. Alexander Aldrich Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorConcordia College
World Languages and Cultures
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Spanish Language Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Alexander Aldrich Ph.D.: Research has found that, even prior to the pandemic, bilingual workers earned more take-home pay than their monolingual counterparts in the U.S. labor market. A tighter job market will only make prospective bilingual employees more competitive over monolingual applicants for the same job than before. In my opinion, a pandemic is a great time to study a world language!
What skills stand out on Spanish Language Lecturer resumes?
Dr. Alexander Aldrich Ph.D.: We've seen how businesses have had to adapt to the upheaval presented by the pandemic. The skill of adaptability is one that I would certainly look for if I were a hiring manager. What other job candidates would exhibit this better than someone who has learned a world language and the culture of its people? Learning a new language and culture is the very essence of learning to adapt.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Spanish Language Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Alexander Aldrich Ph.D.: Recent market research done by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) found that the top business areas in greatest need of foreign language skills are customer service, sales, marketing, management, and IT. One in four businesses in the U.S. lost opportunities for growth because they didn't have the foreign language skills needed among their employees. Thus, focusing only on trades that require one to be bilingual (e.g., translation, interpretation, world language education) would be missing the mark. The data are telling: foreign language skills are needed everywhere in the U.S. today, and that need is only going to increase.
What general advice would you give to a Spanish Language Lecturer?
Suzanne Del Gizzo Ph.D.: Be patient and observant. Your first few jobs are rarely an exact fit, and you may not be doing high-level work at first. Use the time to continue your education. Learn about how the organization runs, the different roles and positions within the organization, and more. Try to figure out which of those jobs you think you'd most like to do - and it may be none of them, in which case maybe you are in the wrong industry - but if you do identify a job you think you'd like, ask the person how they got there and watch how they handle themselves, from how they dress to how they interact with others.
What Spanish Language Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Blackwell: A super-productive gap-year would include (a) some customer-facing retail or service experience (waiting tables, bartending, barista, checkout clerk), (b) a course in statistics if the student didn't pick that up in college, and (c) a course on some programming language (it doesn't matter which). (B) and (C) could be from Udemy or Khan Academy.
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, ISU English Undergraduate Studies; Director, ISU Studio for New MediaIowa State University
Department of English
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Spanish Language Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: My students today are quite experienced with precarity, a word that's become popular this year (which refers to environments dominated by precarious conditions). This means that many are well-suited to changing circumstances and varying methods of working on teams. Though the high unemployment rate in the US led to reduced job listings last summer, employers have told me that they've been very impressed with the students they do hire. Many established workers have little experience with different ways to manage distance collaboration, for example. But full-time students graduating this December will have had at least 10-12 courses, and those graduating next May will have had at least 15-18 courses taught online (or mostly online). This means new graduates will have had more diverse experiences with collaboration in remote teams under different professors/supervisors, which will allow them to see a very wide range of leadership styles and techniques to manage people working together at a distance. Distance collaboration is here to stay, and today's students will have superior skills and diverse experience working in such environments.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Spanish Language Lecturers in the next 3-5 years?
Sharon Rowley Ph.D.: Many employers and businesses have learned that video conferencing can be highly effective and save money on travel, conferences, meetings, dinners, etc. I suspect that many companies will continue to engage with remote technologies even after the pandemic ends. So, while there has been a mixed reaction to the shift to online and hybrid classes, I believe that students should realize that all the different conferencing, chat, publishing, and video platforms they're using in their studies are simultaneously providing valuable skills and experiences that they can translate into success in a wide range of careers.