Career comparison
Adult Education Teacher vs. Self-Enrichment Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Adult education teachers earn more at the median ($61,540 vs. $46,800), while self-enrichment teachers usually get to work faster (Years building skill in your subject of training). Adult education teachers teach adults to read, earn a GED and learn English. Self-enrichment teachers teach people a skill they want to learn for fun or personal growth.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Adult Education Teacher | Self-Enrichment Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,540 ($29.59/hr) | $46,800 ($22.50/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $41,810 – $98,030 | $30,050 – $92,840 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -13.9% (a projected decline) | +3.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 3,800 | 50,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4 years plus certificates | Years building skill in your subject |
| Key credential | TESOL or TEFL certificate | Subject certification |
| Work setting | Adult educators work in community colleges, libraries, community centers, workplaces and online.. | Teachers work in studios, community centers, schools, museums and online.. |
What each job does
Adult Education Teacher
- 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
Self-Enrichment Teacher
- Plan and teach classes
- Demonstrate skills
- Give feedback
- Prepare materials
- Market classes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, and creative work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose adult education teacher if…
- I like teaching adults
- I enjoy working with diverse cultures
- I’m patient
Choose self-enrichment teacher if…
- I have a skill I love
- I enjoy teaching adults
- I like flexible work
Still torn? Take the Adult Education Teacher fit quiz and the Self-Enrichment Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, adult education teacher or self-enrichment teacher?
Adult Education Teachers earn more at the median: $61,540 versus $46,800 for self-enrichment teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Self-Enrichment Teachers typically train faster (Years building skill in your subject) than adult education teachers (4 years plus certificates).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects self-enrichment teachers to grow +3.5% from 2025–35, compared with -13.9% for adult education teachers.