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Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $61,540/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$41,810$98,030

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -13.7% projected growth, 20242034 — declining.

About 3,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
InstructingLearning StrategiesSpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionMonitoringWritingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessActive Learning
Top knowledge areas
English LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementMathematicsPsychologySociology and Anthropology
Core tasks

Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.

Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.

Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.

Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.

Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.

Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

The median pay for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors is $61,540 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

Employment for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors is projected to change -13.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

About 3,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.