25 Series · SOC 25-1124

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$79,350
Median / year
$136,050
Top 10% earn
-0.2%
Growth '23–'33
19,830
US workers

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $79,350 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $79,350, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $49,060 (10th percentile) to $136,050 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 19,830 US workers. New Hampshire pays the most ($101,750), since pay varies by state and metro area.

25 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $79,350, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 72% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Educational Instruction and Library, it ranks #26 of 64 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 0.2% by 2033.

$79,350
Median annual wage
Top 28%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#26 of 64
in Educational Instruction and Library
2.8×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: New Hampshire at $101,750. Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1124) pays a national median of $79,350 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $49,060 at the 10th percentile to $136,050 at the 90th, with a mean of $89,990 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 19,830 Americans work in this occupation across 46 reporting states and 78 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -0.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,900 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Doctoral or professional degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.3 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.8 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New Hampshire pays the highest state median at $101,750, which is +28% above the national figure. The top metro is Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA at $171,660 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 19,830 jobs Median $79,350/yr

Median Salary

$79,350

per year

Median Hourly

N/A

per hour

Mean Salary

$89,990

average

Employment

19,830

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$79,350 Top 28% higher than 72% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 25-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 25-series occupations with growth data, Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary sits on the slower-growing side at -0.2% growth and $79,350 median pay.

Among 25 25-series occupations with growth data, Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary sits on the slower-growing side at -0.2% growth and $79,350 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $20000$40000$60000$80000$100000$120000 -5%0%5%10%15%20% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 25-series occupations with growth data, Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary sits on the slower-growing side at -0.2% growth and $79,350 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-0.2%

Declining

Annual Openings

1,900

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Doctoral or professional degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

0.3/100K

Injury Rate

0.8/100

Danger Index

3.4/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Speaking 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Writing 4.0
Learning Strategies 4.0
Instructing 4.0
Active Learning 3.9
Critical Thinking 3.8
Monitoring 3.6
Complex Problem Solving 3.5

Knowledge Areas

Foreign Language 5.0
English Language 4.4
Education and Training 4.1
History and Archeology 3.3
Philosophy and Theology 3.3
Sociology and Anthropology 3.1
Administrative 3.0
Geography 3.0
Fine Arts 2.7
Computers and Electronics 2.5

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • ▸ Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • ▸ Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • ▸ Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in scholarly journals, books, or electronic media.
  • ▸ Keep abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional organizations and activities.
  • ▸ Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • ▸ Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • ▸ Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$49,060$62,510$79,350$102,730$136,050
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

10th Percentile

$49,060

25th Percentile

$62,510

Median

$79,350

75th Percentile

$102,730

90th Percentile

$136,050

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. New Hampshire $101,750 2. Delaware $101,100 3. California $99,860 4. Massachusetts $98,750 5. Maine $96,970

Lowest Paying States

42. Mississippi $54,670 43. Oklahoma $61,580 44. Arkansas $62,900 45. North Carolina $63,900 46. North Dakota $64,540
View all 46 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 New Hampshire $101,750 +28% above national
2 Delaware $101,100 +27% above national
3 California $99,860 +26% above national
4 Massachusetts $98,750 +24% above national
5 Maine $96,970 +22% above national
6 New York $95,120 +20% above national
7 Oregon $91,670 +16% above national
8 Maryland $87,280 +10% above national
9 Nevada $84,980 +7% above national
10 Michigan $83,190 +5% above national
11 Illinois $81,530 +3% above national
12 South Dakota $81,080 +2% above national
13 Puerto Rico $81,050 +2% above national
14 Minnesota $80,650 +2% above national
15 Connecticut $80,630 +2% above national
16 Montana $79,970 +1% above national
17 Iowa $79,880 +1% above national
18 New Jersey $79,060 same as national
19 District of Columbia $78,930 1% below national
20 Utah $78,570 1% below national
21 Wisconsin $78,490 1% below national
22 Washington $78,320 1% below national
23 Colorado $77,840 2% below national
24 South Carolina $77,790 2% below national
25 Pennsylvania $77,210 3% below national
26 Alaska $76,490 4% below national
27 Tennessee $76,350 4% below national
28 West Virginia $76,340 4% below national
29 Florida $76,230 4% below national
30 Missouri $76,110 4% below national
31 Louisiana $75,410 5% below national
32 Texas $75,090 5% below national
33 Indiana $74,590 6% below national
34 Ohio $74,310 6% below national
35 Virginia $74,000 7% below national
36 Georgia $73,370 8% below national
37 New Mexico $71,720 10% below national
38 Arizona $71,230 10% below national
39 Alabama $70,580 11% below national
40 Kansas $65,890 17% below national
41 Kentucky $65,630 17% below national
42 North Dakota $64,540 19% below national
43 North Carolina $63,900 19% below national
44 Arkansas $62,900 21% below national
45 Oklahoma $61,580 22% below national
46 Mississippi $54,670 31% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $171,660 2. Fresno, CA $167,160 3. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $125,980 4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $115,040 5. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $106,050

Lowest Paying Metros

74. North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $60,240 75. Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $61,790 76. Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $62,180 77. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $62,800 78. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $62,870
View all 78 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $171,660 +116% above national
2 Fresno, CA $167,160 +111% above national
3 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $125,980 +59% above national
4 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $115,040 +45% above national
5 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $106,050 +34% above national
6 South Illinois nonmetropolitan area $103,550 +30% above national
7 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $103,190 +30% above national
8 North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $99,530 +25% above national
9 Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $99,410 +25% above national
10 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $99,100 +25% above national
11 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $98,600 +24% above national
12 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $97,520 +23% above national
13 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $97,210 +23% above national
14 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $96,550 +22% above national
15 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $90,160 +14% above national
16 Burlington-South Burlington, VT $85,230 +7% above national
17 Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $84,980 +7% above national
18 Ann Arbor, MI $84,000 +6% above national
19 Worcester, MA $83,490 +5% above national
20 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $83,310 +5% above national
21 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $83,190 +5% above national
22 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $82,890 +4% above national
23 San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR $81,050 +2% above national
24 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $81,030 +2% above national
25 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $80,940 +2% above national
26 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $80,450 +1% above national
27 Harrisonburg, VA $80,410 +1% above national
28 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $80,290 +1% above national
29 Columbus, OH $79,980 +1% above national
30 Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $79,910 +1% above national
31 St. Louis, MO-IL $79,700 same as national
32 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $79,670 same as national
33 Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area $79,670 same as national
34 Syracuse, NY $79,560 same as national
35 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $79,510 same as national
36 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $79,440 same as national
37 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $79,200 same as national
38 Knoxville, TN $79,080 same as national
39 Trenton-Princeton, NJ $79,060 same as national
40 College Station-Bryan, TX $78,740 1% below national
41 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $78,520 1% below national
42 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $78,490 1% below national
43 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $78,480 1% below national
44 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $78,200 1% below national
45 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $78,170 1% below national
46 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $78,040 2% below national
47 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $77,790 2% below national
48 Alaska nonmetropolitan area $76,530 4% below national
49 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $76,350 4% below national
50 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $75,960 4% below national
51 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $75,740 5% below national
52 Pittsburgh, PA $75,710 5% below national
53 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX $75,390 5% below national
54 Rochester, NY $75,360 5% below national
55 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $73,860 7% below national
56 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $73,480 7% below national
57 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI $71,950 9% below national
58 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $71,230 10% below national
59 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $70,610 11% below national
60 Richmond, VA $68,660 13% below national
61 Charleston-North Charleston, SC $67,630 15% below national
62 Lexington-Fayette, KY $67,530 15% below national
63 Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $67,250 15% below national
64 Kansas City, MO-KS $66,890 16% below national
65 Springfield, MO $66,340 16% below national
66 Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $66,080 17% below national
67 Kansas nonmetropolitan area $65,640 17% below national
68 Raleigh-Cary, NC $64,490 19% below national
69 El Paso, TX $64,100 19% below national
70 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $63,940 19% below national
71 Cleveland, OH $63,910 19% below national
72 Memphis, TN-MS-AR $63,390 20% below national
73 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $63,280 20% below national
74 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $62,870 21% below national
75 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $62,800 21% below national
76 Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $62,180 22% below national
77 Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $61,790 22% below national
78 North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $60,240 24% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 25 (education) with comparable pay and career paths.

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

SOC 25-3011

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

SOC 25-1041

Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary

SOC 25-1061

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

SOC 25-1031

Archivists

SOC 25-4011
Compare Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make? ▼
The median annual salary for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is $79,350 ($N/A/hour). The salary range spans from $49,060 at the 10th percentile to $136,050 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary the most? ▼
New Hampshire pays the highest median salary for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary at $101,750/year, which is +28% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is Doctoral or professional degree.
How dangerous is being a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary? ▼
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.3 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.8 per 100 workers.
Is Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary a good career? ▼
Employment for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to decline 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 1,900 openings are projected each year.
How does Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay vary by state? ▼
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is New Hampshire at $101,750/year, while North Dakota pays the least at $64,540/year. BLS data covers 46 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA at $171,660/year. BLS reports wage data for 78 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $102,730/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: New Hampshire leads at $101,750/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.