Academy Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does an Academy Instructor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academy Instructor in the United States is $56,258 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,778
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,701 to $63,858
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,821
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View as table View as graph 25% $48,701 10% $41,821 90% $70,778 75% $63,858 $56,258 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Academy Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $63,858 $5,322 $1,228 $31
Average $56,258 $4,688 $1,082 $27
25th Percentile $48,701 $4,058 $937 $23
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Key Factors That Influence Academy Instructor Salaries

An Academy Instructor'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 Academy Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academy Instructor'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $51,993
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,236
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,202
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,158
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,369
Levels Salary
Entry Level Academy Instructor$51,993
Intermediate Level Academy Instructor$52,236
Senior Level Academy Instructor$55,202
Specialist Level Academy Instructor$58,158
Expert Level Academy Instructor$58,369
$51,993 0 yr
$52,236 < 2 yrs
$55,202 2-4 yrs
$58,158 5-8 yrs
$58,369 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Academy Instructor 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 Academy Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $62,289.
  • California: $62,052.
  • Massachusetts: $61,225.

Top Paying Cities for Academy Instructors

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: $70,958
  • San Francisco: $70,260
  • Oakland: $68,702

What Skills Can Increase an Academy Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.13% 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.
  • Special Education (Mentioned in 5.55% Job Postings): Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual differences, disabilities, and special needs.
  • Physical Education (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys Ed. or P.E., is a subject taught in schools around the world. It is usually taught during primary and secondary education, and encourages psychomotor learning.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.13%
Special Education 5.55%
Physical Education 2.46%
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 Academy Instructor's salary.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Physical Education: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability
$59,633
6%
Collaboration
$59,071
5%
Physical Education
$57,946
3%
Analysis
$57,383
2%
Coaching
$57,383
2%
Dedication
$57,383
2%
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How Education impacts an Academy Instructor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Academy Instructors 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 an Academy Instructor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $54,827 and $60,665).

Academy Instructor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Academy Instructor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 2.6%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 45.4%
Masters 46.3%
Doctorate 3.4%
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Academy Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Academy Instructor'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Academy Instructor

Salaries for an Academy Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,704 in 2023 to around $54,477 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Academy Instructor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Academy Instructor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,704
2024
$54,919
2025
$54,477
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,704
2024 $54,919
2025 $54,477
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Academy Instructor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Academy Instructor

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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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