English Language and Literature Teachers Salary by State
Also called: English Teachers, Postsecondary
The national median pay for english language and literature teachers is $78,760 a year. By state, it ranges from $53,200 in Oklahoma to $130,490 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,270
- 25th percentile
- $60,900
- Median
- $78,760
- 75th percentile
- $103,130
- Top 10%
- $137,250
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 57,720 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $130,490 | +66% | $62,360 | $216,190 | 5,460 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $98,650 | +25% | $63,750 | $135,440 | 230 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $97,310 | +24% | $60,240 | $131,520 | 940 |
| 4 | Delaware | $97,100 | +23% | $63,970 | $124,580 | Not published |
| 5 | Oregon | $91,870 | +17% | $52,060 | $162,800 | 960 |
| 6 | Michigan | $90,240 | +15% | $50,770 | $137,400 | 1,730 |
| 7 | Vermont | $86,870 | +10% | $51,290 | $160,980 | 170 |
| 8 | Nevada | $85,830 | +9% | $54,920 | $102,540 | 280 |
| 9 | New York | $84,850 | +8% | $52,220 | $173,580 | 6,110 |
| 10 | Maine | $84,290 | +7% | $60,230 | $139,640 | 230 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $84,200 | +7% | $56,640 | $127,160 | 920 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $83,980 | +7% | $62,050 | $175,580 | 2,900 |
| 13 | Maryland | $83,760 | +6% | $46,130 | $135,130 | 830 |
| 14 | Alaska | $82,770 | +5% | $65,030 | $83,840 | 90 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $82,300 | +4% | $62,590 | $138,270 | 410 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $80,800 | +3% | $60,540 | $127,910 | 840 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $80,670 | +2% | $49,290 | $122,700 | 2,530 |
| 18 | Washington | $79,840 | +1% | $56,220 | $102,360 | 1,000 |
| 19 | Iowa | $79,720 | +1% | $48,960 | $102,530 | 510 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $79,190 | +1% | $64,700 | $129,890 | 540 |
| 21 | Texas | $78,900 | 0% | $46,840 | $130,870 | 4,310 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $78,760 | 0% | $32,220 | $149,590 | 1,950 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $78,450 | 0% | $45,610 | $127,140 | 500 |
| 24 | Illinois | $77,570 | −2% | $37,270 | $125,520 | 2,570 |
| 25 | Arizona | $76,990 | −2% | $61,860 | $137,250 | 870 |
| 26 | Utah | $73,280 | −7% | $48,110 | $130,040 | 420 |
| 27 | Montana | $73,160 | −7% | $48,710 | $116,850 | 130 |
| 28 | Missouri | $73,070 | −7% | $47,310 | $111,020 | 1,040 |
| 29 | Colorado | $72,910 | −7% | $47,390 | $119,830 | 1,220 |
| 30 | Indiana | $69,180 | −12% | $47,790 | $132,830 | 1,000 |
| 31 | Virginia | $67,330 | −15% | $43,250 | $135,710 | 1,810 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $66,450 | −16% | $51,650 | $126,760 | 230 |
| 33 | Georgia | $65,530 | −17% | $41,530 | $105,510 | 1,140 |
| 34 | Ohio | $65,140 | −17% | $46,840 | $104,370 | 2,240 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $65,090 | −17% | $40,450 | $106,250 | 540 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $64,470 | −18% | $47,400 | $104,990 | 840 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $64,220 | −18% | $48,580 | $99,170 | 1,150 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $63,690 | −19% | $50,870 | $96,820 | 120 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $63,370 | −20% | $42,620 | $99,810 | 2,140 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $63,280 | −20% | $40,890 | $99,190 | 250 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $62,960 | −20% | $49,200 | $85,340 | 110 |
| 42 | Alabama | $62,910 | −20% | $46,450 | $92,140 | 1,040 |
| 43 | Kansas | $62,340 | −21% | $46,440 | $107,350 | 460 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $62,030 | −21% | $48,730 | $96,480 | 140 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $60,680 | −23% | $30,450 | $78,540 | 530 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $60,350 | −23% | $50,510 | $102,640 | 430 |
| 47 | Florida | $59,740 | −24% | $49,740 | $82,720 | 2,480 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $56,520 | −28% | $31,770 | $83,540 | 320 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $53,200 | −32% | $30,930 | $83,040 | 500 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
English Language and Literature Teachers salary questions
Which state pays english language and literature teachers the most?
California, with a median of $130,490 a year (+66% vs. the national median of $78,760). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays english language and literature teachers the least?
Oklahoma, with a median of $53,200 a year (−32% vs. national).
Where do most english language and literature teachers work?
New York has the most jobs, about 6,110, with a median of $84,850.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.