English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median $78,760 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$78,760
$37.87 per hour
Range
$48,270 – $137,250
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
57,720
across the U.S.
▲0.6%
Pay trend: The median for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. rose from $78,270 (May 2024) to $78,760 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.8%.
What english language and literature teachers, postsecondary do
Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- 0.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,500
Employment of english language and literature teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 0.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$64,238
per year · effective tax rate 18.4%
$5,353Monthly
$2,677Twice a month
$2,471Every 2 weeks
$30.88Hourly
- Federal income tax$8,497
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,883
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,142
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$64,238
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,270 | $23.21 | $40,965 |
| 25th percentile | $60,900 | $29.28 | $51,113 |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | $37.87 | $64,238 |
| 75th percentile | $103,130 | $49.58 | $81,382 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,250 | $65.99 | $105,076 |
Best cities for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $96,430 | $72,019 | $63,981 | 5,320 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $96,430
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $130,490 | −0.1% | $90,854 | $62,360 – $216,190 | 5,460 |
| New Hampshire | $98,650 | +20.5% | $78,230 | $63,750 – $135,440 | 230 |
| Connecticut | $97,310 | +11.1% | $73,511 | $60,240 – $131,520 | 940 |
| Delaware | $97,100 | +50.1% | $72,072 | $63,970 – $124,580 | — |
| Oregon | $91,870 | +10.5% | $66,252 | $52,060 – $162,800 | 960 |
| Michigan | $90,240 | +5.7% | $68,729 | $50,770 – $137,400 | 1,730 |
| Vermont | $86,870 | +4.2% | $66,670 | $51,290 – $160,980 | 170 |
| Nevada | $85,830 | +9.7% | $69,211 | $54,920 – $102,540 | 280 |
| New York | $84,850 | −12.5% | $64,537 | $52,220 – $173,580 | 6,110 |
| Maine | $84,290 | +2.5% | $63,597 | $60,230 – $139,640 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $84,200 | +4.6% | $63,862 | $56,640 – $127,160 | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $83,980 | +2.4% | $63,931 | $62,050 – $175,580 | 2,900 |
| Maryland | $83,760 | +4.6% | $64,140 | $46,130 – $135,130 | 830 |
| Alaska | $82,770 | +3.7% | $67,059 | $65,030 – $83,840 | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $82,300 | +3.7% | $62,701 | $62,590 – $138,270 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $80,800 | +4.3% | $62,771 | $60,540 – $127,910 | 840 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 | +7.6% | $63,105 | $49,290 – $122,700 | 2,530 |
| Washington | $79,840 | +3.7% | $64,997 | $56,220 – $102,360 | 1,000 |
| Iowa | $79,720 | +10.2% | $62,535 | $48,960 – $102,530 | 510 |
| Rhode Island | $79,190 | +3.8% | $62,187 | $64,700 – $129,890 | 540 |
| Texas | $78,900 | −2.8% | $64,336 | $46,840 – $130,870 | 4,310 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | −20.3% | $61,411 | $32,220 – $149,590 | 1,950 |
| Nebraska | $78,450 | +8.7% | $61,330 | $45,610 – $127,140 | 500 |
| Illinois | $77,570 | +1.9% | $59,706 | $37,270 – $125,520 | 2,570 |
| Arizona | $76,990 | +12.6% | $61,276 | $61,860 – $137,250 | 870 |
| Utah | $73,280 | +16.7% | $58,051 | $48,110 – $130,040 | 420 |
| Montana | $73,160 | +16.1% | $57,525 | $48,710 – $116,850 | 130 |
| Missouri | $73,070 | +9.1% | $57,738 | $47,310 – $111,020 | 1,040 |
| Colorado | $72,910 | +11.9% | $57,623 | $47,390 – $119,830 | 1,220 |
| Indiana | $69,180 | −6.0% | $55,487 | $47,790 – $132,830 | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $67,330 | −9.4% | $53,139 | $43,250 – $135,710 | 1,810 |
| New Mexico | $66,450 | −0.6% | $53,615 | $51,650 – $126,760 | 230 |
| Georgia | $65,530 | +3.7% | $52,055 | $41,530 – $105,510 | 1,140 |
| Ohio | $65,140 | +0.9% | $53,511 | $46,840 – $104,370 | 2,240 |
| Kentucky | $65,090 | +3.9% | $52,319 | $40,450 – $106,250 | 540 |
| South Carolina | $64,470 | +1.0% | $51,271 | $47,400 – $104,990 | 840 |
| Tennessee | $64,220 | +3.9% | $53,781 | $48,580 – $99,170 | 1,150 |
| North Dakota | $63,690 | +3.0% | $53,355 | $50,870 – $96,820 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $63,370 | +1.9% | $51,078 | $42,620 – $99,810 | 2,140 |
| West Virginia | $63,280 | −0.5% | $50,910 | $40,890 – $99,190 | 250 |
| South Dakota | $62,960 | +1.3% | $52,768 | $49,200 – $85,340 | 110 |
| Alabama | $62,910 | +1.5% | $49,848 | $46,450 – $92,140 | 1,040 |
| Kansas | $62,340 | −0.7% | $49,591 | $46,440 – $107,350 | 460 |
| Wyoming | $62,030 | −3.3% | $52,021 | $48,730 – $96,480 | 140 |
| Mississippi | $60,680 | −2.0% | $49,241 | $30,450 – $78,540 | 530 |
| Louisiana | $60,350 | +4.3% | $49,247 | $50,510 – $102,640 | 430 |
| Florida | $59,740 | −7.5% | $50,181 | $49,740 – $82,720 | 2,480 |
| Arkansas | $56,520 | −8.9% | $45,602 | $31,770 – $83,540 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $53,200 | +6.0% | $43,078 | $30,930 – $83,040 | 500 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,620 | Master's degree | +2.2% |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.1% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,350 | Doctoral or professional degree | +0.2% |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,260 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,820 | Doctoral or professional degree | 0.0% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $77,640 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,940 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.7% |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.6% |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +17.1% |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,270 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary is $78,760 a year ($37.87 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,270 and the top 10% earn over $137,250. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays english language and literature teachers, postsecondary the most?
California has the highest median pay at $130,490. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many english language and literature teachers, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 57,720 people work as english language and literature teachers, postsecondary nationwide.