English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. is $78,760, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $78,760
- Mean annual wage
- $89,580
- Median hourly wage
- —
- Employment
- 57,720
57,720 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,270 | — |
| 25th percentile | $60,900 | — |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | — |
| 75th percentile | $103,130 | — |
| 90th percentile | $137,250 | — |
Highest-paying states for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,490 | 5,460 |
| New Hampshire | $98,650 | 230 |
| Connecticut | $97,310 | 940 |
| Delaware | $97,100 | — |
| Oregon | $91,870 | 960 |
| Michigan | $90,240 | 1,730 |
| Vermont | $86,870 | 170 |
| Nevada | $85,830 | 280 |
| New York | $84,850 | 6,110 |
| Maine | $84,290 | 230 |
Lowest-paying states
- Oklahoma: $53,200 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $56,520 median annual wage
- Florida: $59,740 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $60,350 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $60,680 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Provide assistance to students in college writing centers.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Write letters of recommendation for students.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 2.0% |
| Associate's degree | 1.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15.1% |
| Master's degree | 30.6% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 48.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$41,670
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,800
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.