How much do Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make?
The median pay for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States is $79,350 per year — about $38.15 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $49,060, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $136,050.
That is $17,960 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary range by percentile
Half of all Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn between $62,510 and $102,730 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,060 | $23.59 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,510 | $30.05 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,350 | $38.15 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,730 | $49.39 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,050 | $65.41 |
Highest-paying states for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New Hampshire leads the country for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay at $101,750 a year, followed by Delaware ($101,100) and California ($99,860). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $54,670 — a gap of $47,080 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $101,750 | $48.92 | +28% |
| 2 | Delaware | $101,100 | $48.61 | +27% |
| 3 | California | $99,860 | $48.01 | +26% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $98,750 | $47.48 | +24% |
| 5 | Maine | $96,970 | $46.62 | +22% |
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 45 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 20,000 people work as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $89,990 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in the United States?
How does Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
What education do Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary need?
How many Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other education roles with similar pay.