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.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1123 O*NET: 25-1123.00
Median Salary
$78,270
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,540
10th percentile
Early Career
$59,780
25th percentile
Median
$78,270
50th percentile
Experienced
$103,730
75th percentile
Top Earners
$154,800
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,540
25th
$59,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$78,270
Mean: $90,400
75th
$103,730
90th
$154,800
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $107,260 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $59,780 and $103,730
- •Salary spread is 56.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 59,590 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:72,200
Top Industries
Educational Services26.9%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools26.3%
Junior Colleges0.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:0%
Annual Openings:5,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)72,200
Current
2034 (Projected)72,200
0%
0
Employment Change
0%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
6,330 jobs$96,9401.72x
California
4,920 jobs$130,5800.71x
Texas
4,670 jobs$81,1900.87x
Florida
4,010 jobs$64,5801.06x
Massachusetts
3,250 jobs$82,0302.31x
Pennsylvania
2,650 jobs$74,9601.14x
Illinois
2,280 jobs$76,1200.97x
North Carolina
2,180 jobs$62,1901.15x
Michigan
1,860 jobs$85,3401.10x
Virginia
1,780 jobs$74,3101.13x
New Jersey
1,730 jobs$98,8201.05x
Ohio
1,710 jobs$64,5300.80x
Georgia
1,250 jobs$63,2000.66x
Alabama
1,250 jobs$61,9901.54x
Tennessee
1,160 jobs$61,8200.92x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Instructing
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Learning Strategies
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Instructing
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Instructing
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Learning Strategies
- →Active Learning
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechApple Safari
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Apple Safari
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (2)Communication & Coordination (1)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as poetry, novel structure, and translation and adaptation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary professionals typically have a SIA Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.58
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.52
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.50
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.41
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.38
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.37
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Concern for Others
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Social Orientation
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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