English Language and Literature Teachers
O*NET title: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Also called: English Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Adjunct English Instructor, Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Lecturer, Adjunct Professor, Adjunct Writing Instructor, Assistant Professor
Median pay
$78,760
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,270 – $137,250
People employed
57,720
Holland code
SIA
Social · Investigative · Artistic
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 a job with little physical risk?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
English Language and Literature Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
English Language and Literature Teachers salary in every state →
What english language and literature teachers do
- 01Teach writing or communication classes.
- 02Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- 03Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 04Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- 05Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- 06Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Communications and Media
- History and Archeology
- Philosophy and Theology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
- Empathy
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- 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 english language and literature teachers
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education83% · −9%
- Instructional Coordinators83% · −2%
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education77% · −18%
- Sociologists77% · +35%
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education76% · −19%
Change into english language and literature teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors81% · $61,540
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education81% · $72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education80% · $64,370
- Instructional Coordinators79% · $77,440
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education76% · $63,970
Majors that lead here
- English/Language Arts Teacher Education
- Comparative Literature
- English Language and Literature, General
- Writing, General
- Creative Writing
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other
- General Literature
- American Literature (United States)
- American Literature (Canadian)
- English Literature (British and Commonwealth)
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.