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Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary in the United States

How much does an Instructor - Liberal Arts make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Instructor - Liberal Arts in the United States is $60,765 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, an Instructor - Liberal Arts's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,408
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,557 to $68,953
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,084

Key Factors That Influence Instructor - Liberal Arts Salaries

An Instructor - Liberal Arts'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 Instructor - Liberal Arts Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Instructor - Liberal Arts'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:

  • Instructor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $60,765
  • Asst. Professor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $67,498
  • Assoc. Professor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $81,807
  • Professor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $103,752
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Instructor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$60,765
Asst. Professor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$67,498
Assoc. Professor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$81,807
Professor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$103,752

Top Paying Cities for Instructor - Liberal Arts

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: $76,643
  • San Francisco: $75,804
  • Oakland: $74,206

What Skills Can Increase an Instructor - Liberal Arts's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 10.84% 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.
  • Tutoring (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): A Tutor is responsible for helping students learn and understand new concepts and complete assignments.
  • Visual Arts (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 10.84%
Tutoring 2.37%
Visual Arts 1.75%

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 an Instructor - Liberal Arts's salary.

  • Coaching Others: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Pediatric: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Facilitation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching Others $68,057
12%
Pediatric $66,842
10%
Facilitation $63,803
5%

Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Instructor - Liberal Arts salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,709. While startup companies pay approximate $53,584.

Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,584
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,535
Established 501~5000 $60,707
Enterprise 5000+ $62,709

How Education impacts an Instructor - Liberal Arts's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Instructor - Liberal Arts with a Bachelor's Degree is between $54,632 and $61,934.

Instructor - Liberal Arts Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Instructor - Liberal Arts
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.9%
High School 17.1%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 17.1%
Masters 71.4%
Doctorate 8.6%

Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Instructor - Liberal Arts'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 August 01, 2026
$52,557
Average $60,765/year
$68,953
$4,380
Average $5,064/month
$5,746
$1,011
Average $1,169/week
$1,326
$25
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,953 $5,746 $1,326 $33
Average $60,765 $5,064 $1,169 $29
25th Percentile $52,557 $4,380 $1,011 $25

Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Instructor - Liberal Arts, 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.

Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Asst. Professor - Architecture $72,287 19%
Asst. Professor - Biology $71,050 17%
Asst. Professor - Chemical Engineering $96,241 58%
Asst. Professor - Civil Engineering $90,430 49%

Most common benefits for Instructor - Liberal Arts

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

Common company salaries for Instructor - Liberal Arts

Here are companies hiring for Instructor - Liberal Arts and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Instructor - Liberal Arts

1. Where can an Instructor - Liberal Arts earn the most?

An Instructor - Liberal Arts's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Instructor - Liberal Arts earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Instructor - Liberal Arts is $76,643.

2. What is the highest pay for Instructor - Liberal Arts?

The highest pay for Instructor - Liberal Arts is $76,408.

3. What is the lowest pay for Instructor - Liberal Arts?

The lowest pay for Instructor - Liberal Arts is $45,084.

4. What are the responsibilities of Instructor - Liberal Arts?

Teaches courses in the discipline area of liberal arts. Develops and designs curriculum to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensure student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains records, and assesses student coursework. Typically reports to a department head. Has a Master's degree or is a PhD candidate in the applicable field. Has experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate level and possesses the qualifications to participate in research.

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.

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