Jobs Similar to English Language and Literature Teachers
Also called: English Teachers, Postsecondary
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to english language and literature teachers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary and Communications Teachers.
English Language and Literature Teachers: $78,760 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
86% similar · $80,260 (+2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
85% similar · $85,020 (+8%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
84% similar · $78,580 (0%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
84% similar · $84,290 (+7%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5History Teachers, Postsecondary
84% similar · $83,820 (+6%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Education Teachers, Postsecondary
83% similar · $75,350 (−4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
83% similar · $79,350 (+1%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
83% similar · $99,650 (+27%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
82% similar · $61,540 (−22%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
82% similar · $72,040 (−9%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
82% similar · $80,340 (+2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
82% similar · $98,070 (+25%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
82% similar · $77,570 (−2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
81% similar · $78,620 (0%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
81% similar · $64,370 (−18%) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
81% similar · $75,870 (−4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
81% similar · $63,970 (−19%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Law Teachers, Postsecondary
80% similar · $128,500 (+63%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Special Education Teachers, Middle School
80% similar · $66,810 (−15%) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
80% similar · $80,340 (+2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than english language and literature teachers.
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary80% similar · $128,500 (+63%)
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary83% similar · $99,650 (+27%)
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary82% similar · $98,070 (+25%)
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary85% similar · $85,020 (+8%)
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary84% similar · $84,290 (+7%)
- History Teachers, Postsecondary84% similar · $83,820 (+6%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education82% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education81% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education81% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School80% similar · Bachelor's degree
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for english language and literature teachers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where english language and literature teachers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors (81)
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (81)
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (80)
- Instructional Coordinators (79)
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (76)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (76)
- Anthropologists and Archeologists (75)
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (75)
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (75)
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School (75)
Questions about jobs like english language and literature teachers
What jobs are most similar to english language and literature teachers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Philosophy and Religion Teachers (86% similar), Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (85% similar), Communications Teachers (84% similar), Sociology Teachers (84% similar) and History Teachers (84% similar).
Which jobs like english language and literature teachers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Law Teachers ($128,500, +63%; usually a graduate degree), Anthropology and Archeology Teachers ($99,650, +27%; usually a graduate degree) and Political Science Teachers ($98,070, +25%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with english language and literature teachers ($78,760). Without more preparation than english language and literature teachers usually need: Law Teachers, Anthropology and Archeology Teachers and Political Science Teachers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.