Teaching ESL: Teacher Salaries

Language teachers who are fond of teaching ESL typically work with children and adults who have little, if any, knowledge of the English language. The goal of ESL teachers is to help their students gain the language skills that will enable them to function normally in an English speaking environment.

Career Prospects for Teaching ESL

Demand for ESL teachers is increasing quickly in the United States as immigration rates continue to rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ESL employment is expected to rise 14 percent by 2016 in the U.S. alone. This impressive rise in demand typically provides qualified teachers with healthy compensation as they fill the new positions.

Salary Figures for ESL Educators

The ESL teacher salary you earn will reflect your credentials and experience in the field. Where you choose to work will also play a major role in your income. In 2008, the BLS reported that elementary ESL teachers earned an average of $50,040 a year, with secondary teachers earning an average of $52,450.

In the area of adult education, ESL teacher salaries range from $32,660 to $57,310 a year with the top 10 percent bringing in $75,680 or more. If you choose to pursue a career teaching ESL education classes at the university level, you can make an average of $73,362 per year. Here is the breakdown of average yearly salaries in 4-year institutions in 2007:

• professors: $98,974
• associate professors: $69,911
• assistant professors: $58,662
• lecturers: $48,289
• instructors: $42,609

Higher education levels and longevity will boost your ESL teacher salary in any rank or job title. For information see our ESL education degrees article.

Teaching ESL: Other Benefits in English Language Teaching

Because of the various environments available to those teaching ESL, benefits packages and vacation time will vary considerably. The best packages are available to public school teachers and university professors who enjoy excellent health coverage, pension plans and extensive vacation time. Private instructors generally enjoy similar benefits without the government sponsored pension. Tutors and part-time teachers at community centers or community colleges are usually paid hourly and often have to provide their own health coverage.

ESL and EFL: What's the Pay Difference?

If you are interested in English language teaching overseas, you are actually interested in what is known as teaching EFL (English as a foreign language). With more lax requirements and oversight, EFL teacher salaries can seem less impressive. However, keep in mind that agencies often pay for airline tickets and transportation and subsidize living expenses during your adventure abroad. If you are interested in eventually teaching ESL in the states, but would like to try it out before completing your education and certification requirements, teaching EFL is a great option.

As the United States becomes home to more and more immigrants from all over the world, the demand for English language teaching will continue to grow. If you want to pursue teaching ESL, you can do so in a variety of ways. Check out our ESL jobs article for a detailed list and see what education you need to secure the ESL job you want.