upper level job

College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salary in the United States

How much does a College Instructor - Foreign Languages make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Instructor - Foreign Languages in the United States is $63,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a College Instructor - Foreign Languages's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,639
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,800 to $71,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,970
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered Talent
View as table View as graph 25% $54,800 10% $46,970 90% $79,639 75% $71,900 $63,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $71,900 $5,992 $1,383 $35
Average $63,400 $5,283 $1,219 $30
25th Percentile $54,800 $4,567 $1,054 $26
Check out College Instructor - Foreign Languages Job Openings in the United States
Licensed Dental Assistant

OMS Specialists - BLAINE, MN

Physician Sign On

Mercy Health - JOPLIN, MO

Physician Sign On

Mercy Health - WEBB CITY, MO

Physician

Wellpath - WARREN, ME

Search More College Instructor - Foreign Languages Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salaries

A College Instructor - Foreign Languages's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Instructor - Foreign Languages's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College Instructor - Foreign Languages (0-0 years): $63,323
  • College Assistant Professor - Foreign Languages (0-0 years): $70,805
  • College Associate Professor - Foreign Languages (0-0 years): $79,793
  • College Professor - Foreign Languages (0-0 years): $107,950
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Foreign Languages0-0 years$63,323
College Assistant Professor - Foreign Languages0-0 years$70,805
College Associate Professor - Foreign Languages0-0 years$79,793
College Professor - Foreign Languages0-0 years$107,950
$63,323 College I...
$70,805 College A...
$79,793 College A...
$107,950 College P...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract College Instructor - Foreign Languages. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $70,200.
  • California: $69,900.
  • Massachusetts: $69,000.

Top Paying Cities for College Instructor - Foreign Languages

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,900
  • San Francisco: $79,000
  • Oakland: $77,400

What Skills Can Increase a College Instructor - Foreign Languages's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.77% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Spring (Mentioned in 1.91% Job Postings): Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.77%
Spring 1.91%
Economics 1.37%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College Instructor - Foreign Languages's salary.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science
$74,812
18%
Analysis
$69,740
10%
Commitment
$65,936
4%
Presentation
$65,936
4%
Programming
$65,936
4%
Curriculum Development
$65,302
3%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a College Instructor - Foreign Languages's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Instructor - Foreign Languages enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Instructor - Foreign Languages with a Bachelor's Degree is between $49,066 and $56,685).

College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Instructor - Foreign Languages
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 23.2%
Associates 66.7%
Bachelors 23.2%
Masters 66.7%
Doctorate 9.1%
view as graph

College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Instructor - Foreign Languages's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Instructor - Foreign Languages, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

College Instructor - Foreign Languages Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Assistant Professor - Architecture $72,300 14%
College Assistant Professor - Biology $71,100 12%
College Assistant Professor - Chemical Engineering $96,200 52%
College Assistant Professor - Civil Engineering $90,400 43%

Salary Trends for College Instructor - Foreign Languages

Salaries for a College Instructor - Foreign Languages can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,867 in 2023 to around $53,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College Instructor - Foreign Languages salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Instructor - Foreign Languages Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,867
2024
$55,153
2025
$53,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,867
2024 $55,153
2025 $53,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College Instructor - Foreign Languages

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for College Instructor - Foreign Languages

Here are companies hiring for College Instructor - Foreign Languages and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next College Instructor - Foreign Languages Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current College Instructor - Foreign Languages job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about College Instructor - Foreign Languages

1. What type of interpreter gets paid the most?

Some top-paying language interpreter roles include Computational Linguist, Japanese Linguist, and Court Interpreter. Salaries for these positions can range from $42,600 to $74,500, with a median salary of $54,200. You can find language interpreter positions on various job platforms that match different qualifications and experience levels.

2. Which foreign language is in demand in the USA?

Spanish is in high demand in the USA, being the second most spoken language after English. Proficiency in Spanish can enhance your job prospects, especially in bilingual roles, particularly in Hispanic communities. As a College Instructor in Foreign Languages, salaries range from $42,600 to $74,500, with a median of $54,200, reflecting the value of this skill in the job market.

3. Is it hard to become a college instructor?

Becoming a college instructor can be challenging. While a master's degree may suffice for teaching at two-year colleges, a doctoral degree is typically necessary for four-year institutions. Salaries for foreign language instructors range from $42,600 to $74,500, with a median salary of $54,200, reflecting the level of education and experience required in this field.

4. How much do college instructors make per class?

College instructors in foreign languages typically earn between $42,600 and $74,500 annually, with a mid-salary of $54,200. For part-time instructors, pay can vary; for example, a four-unit class might yield around $6,800 per semester, depending on the institution and specific arrangements.

5. Do language teachers make good money?

Language teachers can earn a decent salary. The salary range for a College Instructor in Foreign Languages typically falls between $42,600 and $74,500 annually, with a median salary of around $54,200. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $20.50 to $35.70, making it a viable career option for those passionate about teaching languages.

6. Which foreign language is the highest paying?

The highest paying foreign language is Chinese (Mandarin). In India, salaries for Chinese language jobs range from approximately ?42,600 to ?74,500 annually, with a mid-salary of around ?54,200. The demand for Mandarin speakers has significantly increased, leading to more job opportunities in recent years.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst