English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Career, Salary and Skills
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $78,760 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 57,720. Wage data is published for 200 locations.
Occupation description
Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
O*NET code
25-1123.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$78,760
Hourly median
Not published
Employment
57,720
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.75 | 5.00 |
| Instructing | 4.62 | 4.38 |
| Writing | 4.25 | 4.88 |
| Speaking | 4.12 | 4.75 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Active Learning | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.62 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.38 | 3.75 |
Typical tasks
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as poetry, novel structure, and translation and adaptation.
- Assist students who need extra help with their coursework outside of class.
- Teach writing or communication classes.
Technology
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apple QuickTime
- Apple Safari
- Blackboard Collaborate
- Blackboard Learn
- Blackboard software
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Email software
- Google Chrome
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NYMedian $84,850 · Employment 6,110
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in CAMedian $130,490 · Employment 5,460
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in New York, NYMedian $96,430 · Employment 5,320
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in TXMedian $78,900 · Employment 4,310
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in MAMedian $83,980 · Employment 2,900
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in ILMedian $77,570 · Employment 2,570
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in PAMedian $80,670 · Employment 2,530
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in FLMedian $59,740 · Employment 2,480
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in OHMedian $65,140 · Employment 2,240
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $128,810 · Employment 2,150
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NCMedian $63,370 · Employment 2,140
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Boston, MAMedian $87,020 · Employment 2,110
Related careers
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $75,870
- Self-Enrichment TeachersNational median $46,800
- Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $80,340
- Instructional CoordinatorsNational median $77,440
- Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryNational median $42,910
- TutorsNational median $43,350
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationNational median $63,970
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsNational median $61,540
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.