Self-Enrichment Teachers
Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.
Also called: Acting Teacher, Adventure Education Teacher, Americanization Teacher, Art Educator, Art Instructor, Art Teacher
Median pay
$46,800
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$30,050 – $92,840
People employed
332,110
Holland code
SAE
Social · Artistic · Enterprising
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 prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
Self-Enrichment Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What self-enrichment teachers do
- 01Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- 02Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 03Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- 04Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- 05Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy.
- 06Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Empathy
- Optimism
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 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 self-enrichment teachers
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education86% · +54%
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education85% · +37%
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education83% · +38%
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School80% · +59%
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education78% · +34%
Change into self-enrichment teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education83% · $38,140
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors79% · $47,160
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists75% · $76,580
- Coaches and Scouts74% · $47,320
- Childcare Workers69% · $34,980
Majors that lead here
- Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
- Online Educator/Online Teaching
- Contemplative Studies/Inquiry
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.