Higher Education Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Higher Education Instructor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Higher Education Instructor in the United States is $48,336 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,222
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,149 to $52,987
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,427
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,149 10% $38,427 90% $57,222 75% $52,987 $48,336 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Higher Education Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $52,987 $4,416 $1,019 $25
Average $48,336 $4,028 $930 $23
25th Percentile $43,149 $3,596 $830 $21
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Key Factors That Influence Higher Education Instructor Salaries

A Higher Education 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Higher Education Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Higher Education 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): $47,111
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $47,471
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $49,066
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $50,546
  • Expert (over 8 years): $50,916
Levels Salary
Entry Level Higher Education Instructor$47,111
Intermediate Level Higher Education Instructor$47,471
Senior Level Higher Education Instructor$49,066
Specialist Level Higher Education Instructor$50,546
Expert Level Higher Education Instructor$50,916
$47,111 0 yr
$47,471 < 2 yrs
$49,066 2-4 yrs
$50,546 5-8 yrs
$50,916 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $53,517.
  • California: $53,314.
  • Massachusetts: $52,604.

Top Paying Cities for Higher Education 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: $60,966
  • San Francisco: $60,366
  • Oakland: $59,027

What Skills Can Increase a Higher Education Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 5.38% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Electrical Testing (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Evaluating the performance of electrical components to optimize electrical systems.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.38%
Electrical Testing 3.23%
Schematic 2.15%
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 Higher Education Instructor's salary.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Technical Support: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Mechanical Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Troubleshooting
$54,136
12%
Technical Support
$53,169
10%
Mechanical Systems
$53,169
10%
Schematic
$53,169
10%
Technical Skills
$53,169
10%
Service Quality
$51,719
7%
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Higher Education Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Higher Education 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 Higher Education Instructor

Salaries for a Higher Education Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $51,625 in 2023 to around $50,934 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Higher Education Instructor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Higher Education Instructor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$51,625
2024
$51,295
2025
$50,934
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $51,625
2024 $51,295
2025 $50,934
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Higher Education Instructor

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

Here are companies hiring for Higher Education 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.)

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