📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
ESL Teachers Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$66,420
per year
Median
$64,670
per year
Hourly
$31.93
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,864
25th Percentile — Junior$55,520
50th Percentile — Median$64,670
75th Percentile — Senior$79,496
90th Percentile — Top Earners$87,842
💡 The top 10% of ESL Teacherss earn $87,842 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $44,864, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$59.6k
2021
$60.9k
2022
$62.2k
2023
$63.6k
2024
$65.0k
2025
$66.4k
2026
📈 ESL Teachers salaries have grown 2.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $6,848.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $102,951 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $100,958 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $94,316 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $91,660 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $87,674 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $86,346 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $85,018 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $83,025 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $81,032 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $76,383 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $76,383 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $75,719 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $74,390 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $73,062 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $73,062 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $71,734 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $69,741 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $69,741 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $67,748 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $67,748 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $66,420 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $66,420 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $65,756 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $65,756 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $65,092 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $63,099 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $63,099 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $61,771 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $61,771 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $61,771 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $61,106 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $61,106 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $60,442 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $59,778 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $58,450 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $58,450 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $58,450 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $58,450 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $58,450 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $58,450 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $57,785 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $57,785 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $57,785 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $57,121 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $56,457 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $56,457 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $55,793 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $55,129 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $55,129 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $53,136 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $51,808 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect ESL Teachers Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A ESL Teachers'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 ESL Teacherss typically earn $44,864–$55,520 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $79,496–$87,842 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 ESL Teachers role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.2% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Education sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Elementary School Teachers
$72,650/yr
+9.4% vs this role
Secondary School Teachers
$76,320/yr
+14.9% vs this role
Middle School Teachers
$72,680/yr
+9.4% vs this role
Kindergarten Teachers
$67,350/yr
+1.4% vs this role
Preschool Teachers
$42,520/yr
36.0% vs this role
Special Education Teachers
$72,280/yr
+8.8% vs this role
Registered Nurses
$101,420/yr
+52.7% vs this role
Nurse Practitioners
$137,300/yr
+106.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a ESL Teachers?The average salary for a ESL Teachers in the United States is $66,420 per year, with a median of $64,670.
-
What is the starting salary for a ESL Teachers?Entry-level ESL Teacherss typically earn between $44,864 and $55,520 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays ESL Teacherss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay ESL Teacherss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a ESL Teachers make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $66,420, a ESL Teachers earns approximately $31.93 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is ESL Teachers a good career in 2026?Yes — the ESL Teachers role has medium demand with 2.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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