How To Become A Writing Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a writing instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Maria Bergstrom,

Carlos Eire

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a writing instructor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.16 an hour? That's $52,334 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 159,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a writing instructor?

Dr. Maria Bergstrom

Academic Advisor:Humanities and Modern Languages, Lecturer: Writing and Literature, Humanities Internship Coordinator, Michigan Technological University

Even in the remote work and online world, I think networking remains the most critical skill for job-seekers. You can send out hundreds of resumes online, but it's the personal connections and hard work of meeting people and sharing your story with them that will get you a job (and later, a promotion). Students now need to learn how to use online resources (like LinkedIn or alumni databases and networking opportunities offered by their college or university) to connect with people in the field or industry where they want to work.

ScoreWriting InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,334

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.21%

Black or African American 7.31%

Hispanic or Latino 10.39%

Unknown 4.96%

White 65.85%

Gender

female 62.27%

male 37.73%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a writing instructor

Explore writing instructor education requirements

Most common writing instructor degrees

Bachelor's

61.0 %

Master's

31.1 %

Doctorate

4.2 %

Start to develop specific writing instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Math	11.94%
Writing Curriculum	9.93%
Learning Environment	9.83%
Study	6.09%
Syllabus	5.74%

Research writing instructor duties and responsibilities

Develop lesson plans, teach mechanics and creativity in writing, teach reading, math and manage resource room as needed.
Educate students in the basics of reading, writing, and reviewing poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.
Assess student performance, adjust curriculum and create individual study plans, edit and translate tests and written essays.
Provide instruction in a non-fiction memoir writing workshop.

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