Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is a professional role within the function in the Educational Instruction and Library job family.
What English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondarys do
Typical education: Doctoral Degree
Teach writing or communication classes.
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionInstructingWritingSpeakingLearning StrategiesActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay by experience level
Entry level$50,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$63,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$81,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$106,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$142,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+0%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,100
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary by industry
Educational Services
57,710 workers
$92,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
36,260 workers
$91,500
Educational Services, State Government Owned
26,390 workers
$82,000
Junior Colleges
21,320 workers
$95,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
16,230 workers
$107,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
15,090 workers
$95,000
Technical and Trade Schools
70 workers
$66,500
Educational Support Services
40 workers
$120,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pays 5% above the average across 65 roles in the Educational Instruction and Library job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Educational Instruction and Library
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make?
The average base salary for a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States is $92,500 per year, or about $44.47 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $63,000 and $106,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Educational Instruction and Library roles?
The Educational Instruction and Library job family averages $88,500 across 65 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
