English Language Professor Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Low Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $124,899 | +55.0% | Low |
| District of Columbia | $122,482 | +52.0% | Low |
| California | $114,424 | +42.0% | Low |
| New York | $111,200 | +38.0% | Low |
| Alaska | $106,366 | +32.0% | Low |
| Massachusetts | $104,754 | +30.0% | Low |
| New Jersey | $103,142 | +28.0% | Low |
| Washington | $100,725 | +25.0% | Low |
| Connecticut | $98,308 | +22.0% | Low |
| Maryland | $92,667 | +15.0% | Low |
| Rhode Island | $92,667 | +15.0% | Low |
| New Hampshire | $91,861 | +14.0% | Low |
| Oregon | $90,250 | +12.0% | Low |
| Colorado | $88,638 | +10.0% | Low |
| Virginia | $88,638 | +10.0% | Low |
| Vermont | $87,026 | +8.0% | Low |
| Delaware | $84,609 | +5.0% | Low |
| Illinois | $84,609 | +5.0% | Low |
| Maine | $82,192 | +2.0% | Low |
| Nevada | $82,192 | +2.0% | Low |
| Minnesota | $80,580 | +0.0% | Low |
| Utah | $80,580 | +0.0% | Low |
| Arizona | $79,774 | -1.0% | Low |
| Pennsylvania | $79,774 | -1.0% | Low |
| Florida | $78,968 | -2.0% | Low |
| Montana | $76,551 | -5.0% | Low |
| Texas | $76,551 | -5.0% | Low |
| Georgia | $74,939 | -7.0% | Low |
| Idaho | $74,939 | -7.0% | Low |
| Wyoming | $74,939 | -7.0% | Low |
| North Dakota | $74,134 | -8.0% | Low |
| Wisconsin | $74,134 | -8.0% | Low |
| North Carolina | $73,328 | -9.0% | Low |
| Michigan | $72,522 | -10.0% | Low |
| Louisiana | $70,910 | -12.0% | Low |
| Nebraska | $70,910 | -12.0% | Low |
| New Mexico | $70,910 | -12.0% | Low |
| Ohio | $70,910 | -12.0% | Low |
| South Carolina | $70,910 | -12.0% | Low |
| Tennessee | $70,910 | -12.0% | Low |
| Alabama | $70,105 | -13.0% | Low |
| Missouri | $70,105 | -13.0% | Low |
| South Dakota | $70,105 | -13.0% | Low |
| Iowa | $69,299 | -14.0% | Low |
| Indiana | $68,493 | -15.0% | Low |
| Kansas | $68,493 | -15.0% | Low |
| Oklahoma | $67,687 | -16.0% | Low |
| Arkansas | $66,881 | -17.0% | Low |
| Kentucky | $66,881 | -17.0% | Low |
| Mississippi | $64,464 | -20.0% | Low |
| West Virginia | $62,852 | -22.0% | Low |
A English Language Professor's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level English Language Professors typically earn $48,306–$68,410 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $113,644–$132,296 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The English Language Professor role currently has low demand in the job market with a 1.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Education sector.
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What is the average salary for a English Language Professor?The average salary for a English Language Professor in the United States is $80,580 per year, with a median of $71,420.
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What is the starting salary for a English Language Professor?Entry-level English Language Professors typically earn between $48,306 and $68,410 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays English Language Professors the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay English Language Professors the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a English Language Professor make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $80,580, a English Language Professor earns approximately $38.74 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is English Language Professor a good career in 2026?Yes — the English Language Professor role has low demand with 1.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.