Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1124 O*NET: 25-1124.00
Median Salary
$79,350
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
What does a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$49,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$62,510
25th percentile
Median
$79,350
50th percentile
Experienced
$102,730
75th percentile
Top Earners
$136,050
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$49,060
25th
$62,510
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$79,350
Mean: $89,990
75th
$102,730
90th
$136,050
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $86,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $62,510 and $102,730
- •Salary spread is 50.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 19,830 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:24,600
Top Industries
Educational Services37.8%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools36.1%
Other Schools and Instruction1.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.2%
Annual Openings:1,600
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)24,600
Current
2035 (Projected)24,700
+0.2%
+100
Employment Change
+0.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
2,170 jobs$99,8600.93x
New York
1,520 jobs$95,1201.23x
Texas
1,460 jobs$75,0900.81x
Pennsylvania
1,060 jobs$77,2101.37x
Massachusetts
960 jobs$98,7502.07x
Ohio
960 jobs$74,3101.36x
Virginia
890 jobs$74,0001.70x
New Jersey
850 jobs$79,0601.55x
Illinois
690 jobs$81,5300.89x
North Carolina
690 jobs$63,9001.10x
Indiana
660 jobs$74,5901.63x
Oregon
510 jobs$91,6702.03x
Michigan
500 jobs$83,1900.88x
Wisconsin
450 jobs$78,4901.21x
Florida
430 jobs$76,2300.34x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Foreign Language
100%
#3
Speech Clarity
100%
#4
Learning Strategies
94%
#5
English Language
92%
#6
Oral Expression
92%
#7
Writing
86%
#8
Education and Training
82%
#9
Oral Comprehension
82%
#10
Reading Comprehension
80%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Foreign Language
advanced5.0
100%
Speech Clarity
advanced5.0
100%
Learning Strategies
advanced4.7
94%
English Language
advanced4.6
92%
Oral Expression
advanced4.6
92%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Education and Training
intermediate4.1
82%
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:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Foreign Language
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Speech Clarity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
English Language
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance82%
knowledge
4.1/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
History and Archeology
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Business Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Education Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Library Science 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:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Learning Strategies
- ✓Writing
- ✓Foreign Language
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Philosophy and Theology
- →Sociology and Anthropology
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Learning Strategies
- ✓Writing
- ✓Foreign Language
- ✓English Language
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Learning Strategies
- ★Writing
- ★Foreign Language
- ★English Language
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 Foreign 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 TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 moderate 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:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (2)Communication & Coordination (1)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as how to speak and write a foreign language and the cultural aspects of areas where a particular language is used.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Keep abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional organizations and activities.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation 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 Foreign 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?
Foreign 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 Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.61
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.45
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.35
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.35
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.31
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.27
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.6
Persistence
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Concern for Others
4.3
Independence
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
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