Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Also called: Adult Basic Education Instructors
Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.
Also called: Academic Specialist, Adult Basic Education Instructor (ABE Instructor), Adult Basic Education Teacher (ABE Teacher), Adult Basic Studies Teacher, Adult Education Coordinator, Adult Education Instructor
Median pay
$61,540
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$41,810 – $98,030
People employed
37,310
Holland code
SAC
Social · Artistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors do
- 01Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
- 02Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- 03Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
- 05Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- 06Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Empathy
- Adaptability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education95% · +4%
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education95% · +17%
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education94% · +5%
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School91% · +21%
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education91% · +2%
Change into adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education95% · $63,970
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education94% · $64,370
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School93% · $66,810
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education92% · $72,040
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education91% · $62,680
Majors that lead here
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Multicultural Education
- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education, Other
- Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Teaching French as a Second or Foreign Language
- Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other
- Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.