How much does a english language and literature teacher make?
The median english language and literature teacher in the United States earns $78,760 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all english language and literature teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1123.
English language and literature teacher salary range
Pay for english language and literature teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,270 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $137,250. The average (mean) wage of $89,580 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,270 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,900 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $103,130 | |
| 90th percentile | $137,250 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1123), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
English language and literature teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. English language and literature teachers earn the most in California at $130,490 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $53,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,490 | 5,460 |
| New Hampshire | $98,650 | 230 |
| Connecticut | $97,310 | 940 |
| Delaware | $97,100 | N/A |
| Oregon | $91,870 | 960 |
| Michigan | $90,240 | 1,730 |
| Vermont | $86,870 | 170 |
| Nevada | $85,830 | 280 |
| New York | $84,850 | 6,110 |
| Maine | $84,290 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $84,200 | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $83,980 | 2,900 |
| Maryland | $83,760 | 830 |
| Alaska | $82,770 | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $82,300 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $80,800 | 840 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 | 2,530 |
| Washington | $79,840 | 1,000 |
| Iowa | $79,720 | 510 |
| Rhode Island | $79,190 | 540 |
| Texas | $78,900 | 4,310 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | 1,950 |
| Nebraska | $78,450 | 500 |
| Illinois | $77,570 | 2,570 |
| Arizona | $76,990 | 870 |
| Utah | $73,280 | 420 |
| Montana | $73,160 | 130 |
| Missouri | $73,070 | 1,040 |
| Colorado | $72,910 | 1,220 |
| Indiana | $69,180 | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $67,330 | 1,810 |
| New Mexico | $66,450 | 230 |
| Georgia | $65,530 | 1,140 |
| Ohio | $65,140 | 2,240 |
| Kentucky | $65,090 | 540 |
| South Carolina | $64,470 | 840 |
| Tennessee | $64,220 | 1,150 |
| North Dakota | $63,690 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $63,370 | 2,140 |
| West Virginia | $63,280 | 250 |
| South Dakota | $62,960 | 110 |
| Alabama | $62,910 | 1,040 |
| Kansas | $62,340 | 460 |
| Wyoming | $62,030 | 140 |
| Mississippi | $60,680 | 530 |
| Louisiana | $60,350 | 430 |
| Florida | $59,740 | 2,480 |
| Arkansas | $56,520 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $53,200 | 500 |
State median wages for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1123), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for english language and literature teachers
The BLS projects employment of english language and literature teachers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 69,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 69,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,500 openings a year for english language and literature teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an english language and literature teacher
The typical entry-level education for english language and literature teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an english language and literature teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $130,490) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $53,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 57,720 people work as english language and literature teachers in the United States. At $78,760 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
English language and literature teacher salary FAQ
How much does an english language and literature teacher make an hour?
English language and literature teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $78,760.
What is the highest english language and literature teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of english language and literature teachers earn more than $137,250 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an english language and literature teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for an english language and literature teacher is $78,760. The average (mean) wage of $89,580 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an english language and literature teacher a well paid job?
At $78,760 a year, an english language and literature teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 57,720 people work as english language and literature teachers in the United States.
Which state pays english language and literature teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for english language and literature teachers at $130,490 a year. New Hampshire ($98,650) and Connecticut ($97,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an english language and literature teacher a good career?
Employment of english language and literature teachers is projected to hold roughly steady 0% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an english language and literature teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for english language and literature teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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