Foreign Language and Literature Teachers Salary by State
Also called: Foreign Language Teachers, Postsecondary
The national median pay for foreign language and literature teachers is $79,350 a year. By state, it ranges from $54,670 in Mississippi to $101,750 in New Hampshire.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $49,060
- 25th percentile
- $62,510
- Median
- $79,350
- 75th percentile
- $102,730
- Top 10%
- $136,050
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 19,830 jobs.
Median pay in 44 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $101,750 | +28% | $64,220 | $157,090 | 150 |
| 2 | Delaware | $101,100 | +27% | $63,230 | $125,070 | 70 |
| 3 | California | $99,860 | +26% | $45,580 | $208,410 | 2,170 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $98,750 | +24% | $63,100 | $164,060 | 960 |
| 5 | Maine | $96,970 | +22% | $58,280 | $151,460 | 70 |
| 6 | New York | $95,120 | +20% | $59,290 | $208,840 | 1,520 |
| 7 | Oregon | $91,670 | +16% | $72,240 | $140,450 | 510 |
| 8 | Maryland | $87,280 | +10% | $51,920 | $131,060 | 280 |
| 9 | Nevada | $84,980 | +7% | $64,710 | $107,630 | 90 |
| 10 | Michigan | $83,190 | +5% | $51,320 | $131,640 | 500 |
| 11 | Illinois | $81,530 | +3% | $48,920 | $127,070 | 690 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $81,080 | +2% | $60,430 | $103,830 | 40 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $80,650 | +2% | $59,820 | $133,440 | 410 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $80,630 | +2% | $61,610 | $127,900 | 340 |
| 15 | Montana | $79,970 | +1% | $49,280 | $131,660 | 80 |
| 16 | Iowa | $79,880 | +1% | $62,470 | $153,640 | 210 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $79,060 | 0% | $32,220 | $152,430 | 850 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $78,930 | −1% | $63,170 | $120,200 | 360 |
| 19 | Utah | $78,570 | −1% | $37,510 | $122,720 | 180 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $78,490 | −1% | $52,340 | $134,470 | 450 |
| 21 | Washington | $78,320 | −1% | $51,380 | $105,390 | 370 |
| 22 | Colorado | $77,840 | −2% | $51,780 | $128,910 | 410 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $77,790 | −2% | $57,620 | $100,190 | 320 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $77,210 | −3% | $47,360 | $120,290 | 1,060 |
| 25 | Alaska | $76,490 | −4% | $47,300 | $79,990 | 80 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $76,350 | −4% | $48,330 | $105,170 | 310 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $76,340 | −4% | $50,310 | $90,810 | 40 |
| 28 | Florida | $76,230 | −4% | $48,550 | $98,810 | 430 |
| 29 | Missouri | $76,110 | −4% | $46,840 | $146,900 | 330 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $75,410 | −5% | $49,220 | $123,620 | 130 |
| 31 | Texas | $75,090 | −5% | $39,170 | $126,920 | 1,460 |
| 32 | Indiana | $74,590 | −6% | $49,840 | $130,970 | 660 |
| 33 | Ohio | $74,310 | −6% | $38,260 | $103,810 | 960 |
| 34 | Virginia | $74,000 | −7% | $49,290 | $131,190 | 890 |
| 35 | Georgia | $73,370 | −8% | $45,550 | $128,580 | 280 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $71,720 | −10% | $51,350 | $133,860 | 60 |
| 37 | Arizona | $71,230 | −10% | $60,350 | $118,910 | 360 |
| 38 | Alabama | $70,580 | −11% | $52,750 | $95,300 | 110 |
| 39 | Kansas | $65,890 | −17% | $46,190 | $109,250 | 140 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $65,630 | −17% | $43,920 | $106,600 | 180 |
| 41 | North Dakota | $64,540 | −19% | $42,480 | $94,350 | 30 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $63,900 | −19% | $46,670 | $105,310 | 690 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $62,900 | −21% | $45,300 | $82,130 | 120 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $61,580 | −22% | $34,640 | $79,940 | 80 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $54,670 | −31% | $45,380 | $80,860 | 60 |
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.
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers salary questions
Which state pays foreign language and literature teachers the most?
New Hampshire, with a median of $101,750 a year (+28% vs. the national median of $79,350). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays foreign language and literature teachers the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $54,670 a year (−31% vs. national).
Where do most foreign language and literature teachers work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,170, with a median of $99,860.
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.