Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor Salary in 2026

    SOC: 25-3011.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $59,950
    per year
    Salary Range
    $40K – $96K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    36,260
    employed
    Job Growth
    -13.7%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors Make?

    Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors earn a median annual salary of $59,950 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,750 at the 10th percentile to $95,750 at the 90th percentile — a range of $56,000. The highest-paying state is California at $97,000.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$39,750
    25th percentile$47,950
    Median (50th)$59,950
    75th percentile$76,580
    90th percentile$95,750
    10th: $39,750Median: $59,95090th: $95,750
    Section 02

    Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Californiatop$97,000
    District of Columbia$78,550
    New Jersey$75,900
    New York$75,080
    Delaware$74,110
    Missouri$70,020
    Connecticut$69,050
    Minnesota$68,730
    Washington$67,770
    Colorado$64,080
    Oregon$63,130
    Louisiana$63,110
    North Dakota$62,740
    Ohio$62,680
    Virginia$62,400
    Maryland$61,420
    Wisconsin$61,170
    Idaho$61,110
    South Carolina$61,060
    Arizona$60,250
    Massachusetts$59,950
    Illinois$59,890
    Michigan$59,260
    New Hampshire$59,160
    Maine$58,820
    West Virginia$57,720
    Alaska$57,230
    Indiana$57,060
    Montana$55,700
    Rhode Island$55,290
    Tennessee$55,270
    New Mexico$53,980
    Florida$52,900
    North Carolina$52,240
    Texas$50,820
    Pennsylvania$50,770
    Mississippi$50,430
    Wyoming$50,420
    Oklahoma$49,750
    Utah$49,060
    Alabama$48,790
    Arkansas$47,760
    Vermont$47,690
    Nebraska$47,200
    Kansas$46,580
    Georgia$45,760
    Hawaii$45,720
    Nevada$45,540
    Iowa$40,240
    Kentucky$39,580
    South Dakota$35,080
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
    Highest paying
    $116,330
    top metro salary
    Modesto, CA
    $111,780
    $-4,550 vs highest
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
    $103,080
    $-13,250 vs highest
    California
    $97,000
    $-19,330 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $96,900
    $-19,430 vs highest
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
    $96,200
    $-20,130 vs highest
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
    $81,770
    $-34,560 vs highest
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
    $80,360
    $-35,970 vs highest
    Section 04

    Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$39,750 – $47,950
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$59,950
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$76,580
    Senior (15+ yrs)$95,750+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as an Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA earn $116,330 — $56,380 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($76,580) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructorthis career$59,950
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor$65,140
    Education Teacher$72,090
    English Language and Literature Teacher$78,270
    Preschool Teacher$37,120

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 25-3011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.