National median annual wage for this occupation.
Teachers and instructors, all other
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
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.
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Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
Career Analysis for Teachers and Instructors, All Other
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Teachers and instructors, all other a Good Career?
Teachers and instructors, all other, represent a broad teaching career path with a national employment base of 154,000 and a national median annual salary of $64,690. This role typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree, making it accessible to college graduates who want to work in education. The top skills highlight a mix of people-focused and academic strengths, including interpersonal abilities, creativity and innovation, adaptability, leadership, and strong speaking and listening. In addition, skills in science, writing and reading, mathematics, customer service, and critical and analytical thinking support success in this field. While the projected employment growth is -0.1%, there are still 18,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing turnover and hiring needs. For those interested in related paths, similar occupations include substitute teachers (short-term), tutors, adult basic and secondary education and ESL instructors, educational instruction and library workers (all other), and self-enrichment teachers, offering additional options within the education landscape.
Teachers and Instructors, All Other Salary
The national median annual salary for teachers and instructors, all other, is $64,690. Earnings vary by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median pay. Among states, Massachusetts shows a median salary of $100,610, while California is at $87,460 and New York at $78,300. Colorado and Washington also provide median salaries of $76,380 and $77,720, respectively. At the metro level, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports a median salary of $100,610, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV shows $97,920. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA lists $79,250, and both San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ report median pay just above $77,000. These figures indicate that geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Job Outlook for Teachers and Instructors, All Other
Teachers and instructors, all other, have a national employment level of 154,000, providing a sizable presence in the education workforce. The projected employment growth is -0.1%, indicating essentially stable overall headcount over the projection period. Despite this flat growth rate, the occupation is expected to generate 18,000 annual openings. These openings represent ongoing hiring needs, which can come from workers changing jobs, retiring, or leaving the occupation, even when total employment remains relatively steady. For individuals considering this field, the combination of a large existing employment base and consistent annual openings suggests continuing movement and replacement demand. Those exploring alternatives within education can also look at related roles such as substitute teachers (short-term), tutors, adult basic and secondary education and ESL instructors, educational instruction and library workers (all other), and self-enrichment teachers, each with its own employment dynamics.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Teachers and Instructors, All Other?
Location makes a clear difference for teachers and instructors, all other, both in terms of pay and concentration. Among states, California stands out with employment of 31,010 and a median salary of $87,460, paired with a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts offers the highest listed state median salary at $100,610, with an opportunity score of 65.87, while New York combines a median salary of $78,300 with 2,630 employed and a 65.78 opportunity score. Colorado and Washington also appear as notable options, each with employment around 1,400 and median salaries in the mid-to-high $70,000s, alongside mid-50s opportunity scores. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ post the highest opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27). Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH combine strong salaries near or above $97,000 with solid opportunity scores, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows both high employment (3,180) and a strong score of 68.75.
Education for Teachers and Instructors, All Other
For teachers and instructors, all other, the typical education requirement is a bachelor’s degree. This makes the field a viable option for individuals who complete a four-year college program and want to apply their knowledge in an instructional setting. Success in this occupation draws on a broad mix of skills. Interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and customer service support effective interaction with learners and colleagues. Creativity and innovation, adaptability, and leadership help instructors plan and deliver engaging learning experiences and respond to different situations. Academic-related skills such as science, writing and reading, and mathematics contribute to understanding and conveying material. Critical and analytical thinking underpins problem-solving and decision-making in educational contexts. Together, the education requirement and this skill profile create a pathway for bachelor’s degree holders who enjoy working with people, communicating ideas, and applying both soft and analytical skills in their careers.
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