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ESL teacher: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$61,540median pay per year, or $29.59 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $41,810lowest 10% earn less
  2. $49,10025th percentile
  3. $61,540median
  4. $77,69075th percentile
  5. $98,030top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for adult basic education, adult secondary education and ESL instructors was $61,540 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 13.9% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-13.9%[2]
Openings per year
3,800[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do ESL teachers make?

BLS counts ESL teachers in a group called Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. The median pay was $61,540 a year, or $29.59 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $65,860 a year, or $31.66 an hour[7].

Across all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[4]. So the median for this group was $10,560 higher[1][4].

Pay varies a lot within the group. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $41,810 a year and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $98,030[3]. In hourly terms, those boundaries were $20.10 and $47.13[8]. The 25th percentile was $49,100 and the 75th was $77,690[3].

BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries in the pay range[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers, including part-time and full-time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[10].

Measure Annual pay Source
10th percentile[3] $41,810
25th percentile[3] $49,100
Median[1] $61,540
75th percentile[3] $77,690
90th percentile[3] $98,030

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median pay at $102,030 a year, followed by New Jersey at $81,100 and Delaware at $78,600[11]. New York was fourth at $78,010 and Minnesota fifth at $76,800[11]. South Dakota had the lowest median among the states listed, at $35,760[11].

The most jobs were in North Carolina (3,720), Florida (3,670) and Minnesota (2,880)[12]. New York followed with 2,810 and Illinois had 1,970[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA was listed first for pay at $119,590[13]. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA was next at $107,420 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $105,820[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs, 2,750, with a median of $83,980[14]. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington had 2,040 jobs and a median of $79,210[14].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[11]$102,0301,660
New Jersey$81,1001,350
Delaware$78,600200
New York$78,0102,810
Minnesota$76,8002,880
Connecticut$72,180410
Washington$69,9901,310
Louisiana$66,870100
Oregon$65,700510
West Virginia$65,050250
Wisconsin$64,9801,050
Virginia$64,540700
New Hampshire$64,44050
North Dakota$63,820180
District of Columbia$62,940570
South Carolina$62,940480
Vermont$62,50070
Illinois$62,3701,970
Massachusetts$62,2901,420
Arizona$61,750570
Tennessee$60,340240
Maryland$59,950450
Michigan$59,900560
Florida$58,9203,670
Maine$58,880330
Indiana$58,660650
Rhode Island$57,690n/a
Pennsylvania$57,230790
Montana$56,500110
Wyoming$52,060100
Kansas$52,030160
Oklahoma$51,840300
North Carolina$51,8103,720
Missouri$51,770620
Colorado$51,170820
Idaho$50,040270
Mississippi$49,900240
Utah$49,68060
Texas$49,4901,830
New Mexico$49,170210
Nebraska$49,040130
Nevada$48,93040
Alabama$48,870470
Iowa$48,010370
Georgia$47,540470
Ohio$47,190750
Kentucky$44,990350
Hawaii$44,600300
Arkansas$43,240230
South Dakota$35,760100

How to become an ESL teacher

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this group. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training[6]. In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 41% said a bachelor's degree was required, 20% said a master's degree and 11% said a high school diploma or equivalent[15]. The same survey had 11% for an associate's degree and 11% for a post-baccalaureate certificate[15].

The steps for public-school teaching look like this.

Some community colleges prefer to hire people who have a master's degree, or who have studied adult education or ESL at the graduate level[17]. Knowing a second language is not required to teach ESL, but it can help[19]. For certificate rules, BLS suggests contacting your state's director of adult education[21].

What ESL teachers do

O*NET describes the work as teaching out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, English as a Second Language or high school equivalency classes[23]. Common tasks include:

BLS names several useful qualities: communication, cultural sensitivity, patience and resourcefulness[25][26][27][28].

Where they work

Local elementary and secondary schools were the largest employer group in 2025, at 31% of jobs[29]. Adults choose to attend these classes, so students are often highly motivated[30].

Classes are often held in the mornings and evenings, when students are not at work[31]. Part-time work is common[31]. In 2025, 5% of these workers were self-employed[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to fall 13.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,100 to 35,400 jobs, a change of -5,700[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth over the same years[33].

BLS names one factor: enrollment in adult basic and secondary education classes is expected to decline because there will be fewer high school dropouts[34].

Jobs still open up. BLS projects about 3,800 openings a year, on average, from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 5.6% of workers leave the labor force and 5.8% move to a different occupation[35].

OEWS counted about 37,310 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[36]. The projection counts differ because they include self-employed workers[2].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is above the all-occupations median, at $61,540 compared with $50,980[1][4]. Public-school jobs typically call for a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate[16]. Employment is projected to shrink, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][33]. Openings still come from retirements and job changes[5]. Part-time work and morning or evening classes are common, which may suit some schedules better than others[31]. Pay differs a lot by state, so check your own state first[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an ESL teacher make an hour?
The median was $29.59 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $20.10 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $47.13[8].
What degree do you need to be an ESL teacher?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. Public-school teachers also need a teaching certificate[22].
Is ESL teaching in demand?
BLS projects employment to decline 13.9% from 2025 to 2035[2]. It also projects about 3,800 openings a year[5].
What is the highest paying state for ESL teachers?
California, with a median of $102,030 a year in May 2025[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in the US was $61,540 per year and $29.59 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors is projected to decline 13.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,100 to 35,400 jobs (a change of -5,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: 10th percentile $41,810, 25th percentile $49,100, 75th percentile $77,690, 90th percentile $98,030. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,800 openings for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors was $65,860 per year and $31.66 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: 10th percentile $20.10, 25th percentile $23.61, 75th percentile $37.35, 90th percentile $47.13. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors jobs: North Carolina 3,720; Florida 3,670; Minnesota 2,880; New York 2,810; Illinois 1,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $119,590; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $107,420; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,820; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $98,860; Worcester, MA $90,550; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,980; Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $83,500; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $81,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,750 (median $83,980); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 2,040 (median $79,210); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,780 (median $63,010); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,510 (median $62,370); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 1,120 (median $57,510); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 980 (median $62,020). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. O*NET 25-3011.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 41%, Master's Degree 20%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 11%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 11%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of adult basic and secondary education and esl teachers in 2025: Elementary and secondary schools; local 31%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 5% of Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: Demand change - share decreases as enrollment rates in ABE and ASE classes are expected to decline due to fewer high school dropouts, which will reduce the need for these types of teachers. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: 5.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 37,310 people were employed as Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.