Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary Guide 2025
The median annual salary for postsecondary foreign language and literature teachers is $79,350, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2023 data. The typical pay range runs from $49,060 at the 10th percentile to $136,050 at the 90th percentile. The mean hourly wage is about $38, with total employment of 19,830 nationwide.
How much Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn
Pay varies by experience, institution type, and location. Entry-level instructors at community colleges often start near the bottom of the range, while tenured professors at research universities can exceed $130,000. Adjuncts, though not captured in these full-time figures, typically earn far less per course.
The top-paying industries include colleges and universities (mean $90,000) and junior colleges (mean $81,000). Federal executive branch positions pay a mean of $107,000 but employ only a handful of language teachers.
- National median salary: $79,350
- 10th percentile: $49,060
- 90th percentile: $136,050
- Mean annual wage: $89,990
- Mean hourly wage: $38
Pay by state
New Hampshire pays the highest average at $101,750, followed by Delaware ($101,100), California ($99,860), Massachusetts ($98,750), and Maine ($96,970).
The lowest-paying states are Arkansas ($62,900), Oklahoma ($61,580), and Mississippi ($54,670). Cost-of-living differences partly explain the gaps, but even adjusted for living costs, Southern states tend to offer lower pay for this occupation.
How to become Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Most positions require a master’s or doctoral degree in the language or a closely related field. Community colleges typically hire instructors with a master’s degree; universities require a PhD for tenure-track roles. Native or near-native fluency is essential.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in a foreign language, literature, or linguistics.
- Complete a master’s or PhD in the target language or comparative literature.
- Gain teaching experience as a graduate teaching assistant or adjunct instructor.
- Publish research and present at conferences for tenure-track university jobs.
- For community colleges, a master’s plus teaching experience may be sufficient.
Job outlook
The BLS projects a -0.2% decline in employment from 2024 to 2034, essentially flat but slightly negative due to lower enrollment in language courses at many institutions. Despite the shrinkage, about 1,900 openings per year are expected as retirees leave the workforce. Competition for tenure-track jobs is strong; most openings will be part-time or non-tenure track.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary for a Foreign Language and Literature Teacher, Postsecondary in 2025?
The median salary is $79,350, with a typical range from $49,060 to $136,050 (BLS 2023 data).
How do I become a foreign language professor?
You typically need a master’s degree to teach at a community college or a PhD for university tenure-track roles, along with native or near-native fluency.
Is the job market growing for postsecondary foreign language teachers?
No—employment is projected to decline 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, but about 1,900 openings per year will result from retirements.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary data.