Education and libraries
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median pay
$78,760
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
4,500
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to english language and literature teachers, postsecondary
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary: 39% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Teach writing or communication classes.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as poetry, novel structure, and translation and adaptation.
- Assist students who need extra help with their coursework outside of class.
Also called: Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Creative Writing Professor · English Instructor · English Professor · Humanities Professor · Instructor · Lecturer
Outlook and AI
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary held 69,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 69,300 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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