How much does a foreign language and literature teacher make?
The median foreign language and literature teacher in the United States earns $79,350 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all foreign language and literature teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1124.
Foreign language and literature teacher salary range
Pay for foreign language and literature teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,060 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $136,050. The average (mean) wage of $89,990 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 | $49,060 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $62,510 | |
| Median (50th) | $79,350 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $102,730 | |
| 90th percentile | $136,050 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1124), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Foreign language and literature teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Foreign language and literature teachers earn the most in New Hampshire at $101,750 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $54,670. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $101,750 | 150 |
| Delaware | $101,100 | 70 |
| California | $99,860 | 2,170 |
| Massachusetts | $98,750 | 960 |
| Maine | $96,970 | 70 |
| New York | $95,120 | 1,520 |
| Oregon | $91,670 | 510 |
| Maryland | $87,280 | 280 |
| Nevada | $84,980 | 90 |
| Michigan | $83,190 | 500 |
| Illinois | $81,530 | 690 |
| South Dakota | $81,080 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $80,650 | 410 |
| Connecticut | $80,630 | 340 |
| Montana | $79,970 | 80 |
| Iowa | $79,880 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $79,060 | 850 |
| District of Columbia | $78,930 | 360 |
| Utah | $78,570 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $78,490 | 450 |
| Washington | $78,320 | 370 |
| Colorado | $77,840 | 410 |
| South Carolina | $77,790 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,210 | 1,060 |
| Alaska | $76,490 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $76,350 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $76,340 | 40 |
| Florida | $76,230 | 430 |
| Missouri | $76,110 | 330 |
| Louisiana | $75,410 | 130 |
| Texas | $75,090 | 1,460 |
| Indiana | $74,590 | 660 |
| Ohio | $74,310 | 960 |
| Virginia | $74,000 | 890 |
| Georgia | $73,370 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $71,720 | 60 |
| Arizona | $71,230 | 360 |
| Alabama | $70,580 | 110 |
| Kansas | $65,890 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $65,630 | 180 |
| North Dakota | $64,540 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $63,900 | 690 |
| Arkansas | $62,900 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $61,580 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $54,670 | 60 |
State median wages for foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1124), 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 foreign language and literature teachers
The BLS projects employment of foreign 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 24,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 24,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for foreign 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 a foreign language and literature teacher
The typical entry-level education for foreign 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 a foreign 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 (New Hampshire, $101,750) and the lowest (Mississippi, $54,670) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,830 people work as foreign language and literature teachers in the United States. At $79,350 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Foreign language and literature teacher salary FAQ
How much does a foreign language and literature teacher make an hour?
Foreign 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 $79,350.
What is the highest foreign language and literature teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of foreign language and literature teachers earn more than $136,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a foreign language and literature teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a foreign language and literature teacher is $79,350. The average (mean) wage of $89,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a foreign language and literature teacher a well paid job?
At $79,350 a year, a foreign language and literature teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,830 people work as foreign language and literature teachers in the United States.
Which state pays foreign language and literature teachers the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median salary for foreign language and literature teachers at $101,750 a year. Delaware ($101,100) and California ($99,860) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a foreign language and literature teacher a good career?
Employment of foreign language and literature teachers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a foreign language and literature teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for foreign language and literature teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Education salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.