Compensation
Median Pay
$78,760
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$78,760
Projected Growth
0.0%
Annual Openings
5,100
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
72,200
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
0.0%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
5,100
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Writing & reading
100 / 100
100%
Speaking & listening
99 / 100
99%
Creativity & innovation
95 / 100
95%
Adaptability
84 / 100
84%
Leadership
81 / 100
81%
Interpersonal
79 / 100
79%
Critical & analytical thinking
73 / 100
73%
Computers & information technology
66 / 100
66%
Problem solving & decision making
53 / 100
53%
Project management
47 / 100
47%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is English language and literature teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
English language and literature teachers in postsecondary settings work in a field that combines strong communication skills, critical thinking, and creativity. National employment stands at 72,000, with 5,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and hiring needs even with flat projected growth of 0.0%. The national median annual salary of $78,270 reflects solid earning potential, with considerably higher pay in some states and metro areas. This role values writing and reading, speaking and listening, and strong interpersonal abilities, supported by adaptability, leadership, and project management. Critical and analytical thinking, creativity and innovation, and comfort with computers and information technology round out the core skill profile. For career explorers, related options include postsecondary teaching roles in areas such as area, ethnic, and cultural studies, communications, social sciences, history, or library science. Overall, this path suits people drawn to advanced study of English language and literature who are prepared to meet a doctoral or professional degree requirement.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for postsecondary English language and literature teachers is $78,270, but pay varies widely by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, California stands out with a median salary of $130,490, while New York and Massachusetts offer median salaries of $84,850 and $83,980, respectively. Washington reports $79,840 and Colorado $72,910. At the metro level, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area reports a median salary of $165,090, the highest among the listed metros. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $96,430, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA offers $107,770. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH show median salaries of $82,080 and $87,020. These figures suggest that salary potential can differ substantially by region, especially in selected California and Northeastern metros.
Job Outlook for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
National employment for postsecondary English language and literature teachers is 72,000, with projected employment growth of 0.0%. Even with flat projected growth, there are 5,000 annual openings. This combination indicates that many opportunities arise from turnover, retirements, and other job changes rather than net job expansion. The 0.0% growth projection appears consistently across the listed top states (California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington) and top metro areas, suggesting a stable overall employment level in this occupation. For individuals entering or advancing in this career, the outlook points to a steady labor market where openings continue to appear each year, but without an expected increase in total employment. This makes it especially important to consider geographic variation, educational preparation, and alignment with the key skills associated with the role when planning a long-term career path.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location plays a major role in opportunities for postsecondary English language and literature teachers. Among states, California combines a high median salary of $130,490 with employment of 5,460 and the highest listed opportunity score of 67.38. New York has the largest employment level on the state list at 6,110, a median salary of $84,850, and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts offers a median salary of $83,980 and employment of 2,900 with a similarly strong opportunity score. Colorado and Washington show lower employment levels (1,220 and 1,000) and more moderate salaries compared with California, but still rank in the top five states by opportunity score. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports the highest median salary at $165,090. Washington, DC-area and Boston-area metros also provide notable clusters of jobs and competitive pay.
Education for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for postsecondary English language and literature teachers is a doctoral or professional degree. This indicates that most people in this career will pursue advanced, long-term academic preparation before qualifying for many positions. Beyond formal education, the role emphasizes a broad and demanding skill set. Writing and reading, speaking and listening, and strong interpersonal skills form the foundation of effective teaching and interaction with students and colleagues. Critical and analytical thinking, creativity and innovation, and problem solving and decision making are also central, reflecting the depth of analysis and communication expected in this field. Additional strengths in adaptability, leadership, project management, and comfort with computers and information technology support success in managing courses, academic responsibilities, and evolving educational environments. Taken together, the educational requirement and skill profile point to a career for those committed to advanced study and multifaceted professional abilities.
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