English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Creative Writing Professor · English Instructor · English Professor · Humanities Professor
Median pay (national)
$78,270
$47,540–$154,800 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
59,590
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
0%
~5,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $154,800 versus $47,540 at the bottom 10% — 3.3x. The median of $78,270 leaves roughly 98% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change 0% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $130,580, +67% vs the national median), while Hawaii sits lowest at $48,260 — a 171% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Learning management system LMS as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Assist students who need extra help with their coursework outside of class.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Schedule courses.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
- Teach writing or communication classes.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Tools & technology
- Learning management system LMS
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apple Safari
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Apple QuickTime
- Blackboard Collaborate
- Blackboard Learn
- Blackboard software
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Google Chrome
- Graphics creation software
- Image scanning software
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Communications and Media
- History and Archeology
- Philosophy and Theology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics