Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary in the United States is $79,350 per year. Salaries range from $49,060 at the entry level to $136,050+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 19,830 foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 0.2% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$79,350
per year
Employment
19,830
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$49,060
25th percentile
$62,510
Median
$79,350
75th percentile
$102,730
90th percentile
$136,050
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-0.2%
Decline
Annual Openings
1,900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Doctoral or professional degree
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$55K$102K■ No data
Top Paying States
New Hampshire
$102K
+28%
Delaware
$101K
+27%
California
$100K
+26%
Massachusetts
$99K
+24%
Maine
$97K
+22%
New York
$95K
+20%
Oregon
$92K
+16%
Maryland
$87K
+10%
Nevada
$85K
+7%
Michigan
$83K
+5%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $101,750 | +28.2% |
| Delaware | $101,100 | +27.4% |
| California | $99,860 | +25.8% |
| Massachusetts | $98,750 | +24.4% |
| Maine | $96,970 | +22.2% |
| New York | $95,120 | +19.9% |
| Oregon | $91,670 | +15.5% |
| Maryland | $87,280 | +10.0% |
| Nevada | $84,980 | +7.1% |
| Michigan | $83,190 | +4.8% |
Showing 1–10 of 45
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $171,660 | +116.3% |
| Fresno, CA | $167,160 | +110.7% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $125,980 | +58.8% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $115,040 | +45.0% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $106,050 | +33.6% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $103,190 | +30.0% |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $99,410 | +25.3% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $99,100 | +24.9% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $98,600 | +24.3% |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $97,520 | +22.9% |
Showing 1–10 of 68
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary earning $79,350/year would need 751 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 807 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
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