Full Time Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Full Time Instructor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Full Time Instructor in the United States is $59,795 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,416
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,030 to $67,448
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,049

Key Factors That Influence Full Time Instructor Salaries

A Full Time Instructor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Full Time 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 Full Time Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,205.
  • California: $65,954.
  • Massachusetts: $65,075.

Top Paying Cities for Full Time 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: $75,419
  • San Francisco: $74,593
  • Oakland: $73,021

What Skills Can Increase a Full Time Instructor'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 a Full Time Instructor'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 $66,970
12%
Pediatric $65,774
10%
Facilitation $62,785
5%

How Education impacts a Full Time Instructor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Full Time 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 Full Time Instructor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $54,632 and $61,934).

Full Time Instructor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Full Time Instructor
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%

Full Time Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Full Time 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 September 01, 2026
$51,030
Average $59,795/year
$67,448
$4,252
Average $4,983/month
$5,621
$981
Average $1,150/week
$1,297
$25
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,448 $5,621 $1,297 $32
Average $59,795 $4,983 $1,150 $29
25th Percentile $51,030 $4,252 $981 $25

Most common benefits for Full Time Instructor

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

Common company salaries for Full Time Instructor

Here are companies hiring for Full Time Instructor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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