As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Foreign Language Instructor in the United States is $62,027 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Foreign Language Instructor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Foreign Language 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Foreign Language 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Foreign Language Instructor | $59,877 |
| Intermediate Level Foreign Language Instructor | $60,130 |
| Senior Level Foreign Language Instructor | $63,288 |
| Specialist Level Foreign Language Instructor | $66,808 |
| Expert Level Foreign Language Instructor | $67,059 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Foreign Language Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 12.77% |
| Spring | 1.91% |
| Economics | 1.37% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Computer Science
|
$73,192 |
18%
|
|
Analysis
|
$68,229 |
10%
|
|
Commitment
|
$64,508 |
4%
|
|
Presentation
|
$64,508 |
4%
|
|
Programming
|
$64,508 |
4%
|
|
Curriculum Development
|
$63,888 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Foreign Language 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 a Foreign Language Instructor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $49,183 and $56,844).
Foreign Language Instructor Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a Foreign Language 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, 2026Salaries for a Foreign Language Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,280 in 2023 to around $53,395 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Foreign Language Instructor salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $55,280 |
| 2024 | $54,574 |
| 2025 | $53,395 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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