Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
SOC code 25-3011 · O*NET-SOC 25-3011.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Education and library
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$61,540
a year
Hourly
$29.59
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$65,860
$31.66 per hour
Middle 50%
$49,100 – $77,690
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$41,810 – $98,030
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
37,310
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $41,810
- $20.10/hr
- 25th percentile
- $49,100
- $23.61/hr
- Median percentile
- $61,540
- $29.59/hr
- 75th percentile
- $77,690
- $37.35/hr
- 90th percentile
- $98,030
- $47.13/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-14%
Declining
40,900
jobs in 2024
35,300
projected for 2034
About 5,600 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors do?
Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
- Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 41% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree41%
- Master's Degree20%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)11%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree11%
Common questions
How much does an adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors earn?
The national median is $61,540 a year. The full range runs from $41,810 at the 10th percentile to $98,030 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 14% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Learning Strategies3.8/5
- Writing3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Active Learning3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.4/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Administrative3.2/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Mathematics2.8/5
- Psychology2.7/5
- Sociology and Anthropology2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Instructing, Social Perceptiveness.