Tutor
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- $43,350
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Education & Childcare career
Adult Education Teacher
Also called: ESL Teacher · GED Instructor · Adult Basic Education Instructor · English as a Second Language Instructor
What adult education teachers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an adult education teacher do?
Adult basic and secondary education and ESL instructors teach adults reading, writing, math and English skills, and help them earn high school equivalency credentials. The median pay is $61,540 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years plus certificates, and employment is projected to grow -13.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$61,540$29.59/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-13.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year3,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4 years plus certificatesTypical program length
- U.S. jobs41,100Employment, 2025
What adult education teachers do
Adult education teachers help adults reach goals: reading better, earning a GED or HiSET, learning English or preparing for jobs and college. They assess skills, plan lessons for mixed levels, teach small classes and tutor individuals, often in community colleges, libraries, nonprofits and workforce centers.
Many adult educators have bachelor’s degrees; some states require licenses. ESL teachers often earn TESOL or TEFL certificates. Funding changes affect jobs, but the work is deeply rewarding.
Typical duties
- Assess adult learners’ skills
- Plan lessons for mixed levels
- Teach reading, writing and math
- Teach English language skills
- Prepare students for GED or HiSET exams
- Connect learners to job and college resources
- Track progress for funding reports
Work environment and schedule
Adult educators work in community colleges, libraries, community centers, workplaces and online.
Schedule: Classes often run mornings, evenings and weekends; many positions are part-time.
A day in the life
- Prepare ESL lesson materials on workplace vocabulary.
- Teach a morning ESL class.
- Assess new students for placement.
- Tutor a learner in GED math.
See a full day in the life of an adult education teacher →
Adult Education Teacher salary
Half of adult education teachers earned more than $61,540 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $41,810 for the lowest 10% to $98,030 for the top 10%.
Full adult education teacher pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an adult education teacher
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Get TESOL or adult education training
- Volunteer or tutor
- Get hired by a program
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree is typical. Some states require a teaching license; ESL teachers often have TESOL or TEFL certificates.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an adult education teacher →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Adult literacy instruction
- ESL teaching methods
- GED and HiSET prep
- Assessment
- Lesson planning for mixed levels
People skills
- Patience
- Cultural sensitivity
- Encouragement
- Flexibility
All adult education teacher skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highly motivated students
- Meaningful impact
- Flexible schedules
- Online options
Cons
- Many part-time positions
- Funding uncertainty
- Mixed-level classes
- Students juggling work and family
Certifications and licenses
- TESOL or TEFL certificate: Training for teaching English as a second language.
- State adult education credential: Required in some states.
- GED instructor training: Training from GED Testing Service.
- Teaching license: Required by some programs.
Career path
- Adult Education Tutor: Support learners.
- Adult Education Teacher: Teach classes.
- Lead Instructor or Coordinator: Coordinate programs.
- Adult Education Director: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Adult Education Teacher training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach a mixed-level ESL class and prepare a learner for the GED math test, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Adult Education Teacher vs. Tutor · Adult Education Teacher vs. Interpreter · Adult Education Teacher vs. Corporate Trainer · Adult Education Teacher vs. High School Teacher
Adult Education Teacher FAQ
Do adult education teachers need a license?
It depends on the state and program.
What is TESOL?
Training for teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Are there full-time jobs?
Many positions are part-time, though some programs hire full-time.
How much does an adult education teacher make?
The median annual wage for adult education teachers was $61,540 ($29.59 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $41,810 and the highest 10% earned more than $98,030.
How long does it take to become an adult education teacher?
Most people need about 4 years plus certificates of training. A bachelor’s degree is typical. Some states require a teaching license; ESL teachers often have TESOL or TEFL certificates.
Do you need a degree to be an adult education teacher?
Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, and some programs require a teaching license. Volunteer and part-time roles may accept less, especially with TESOL training.
More adult education teacher questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-3011 (Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.