How to become Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructorseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$61,540
25th–75th pct. $49,100–$77,690
Top pay (est.)
$127,400
Top 10% $98,030
Pay in 5 years
$68,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$76,800est.
$66,000–$89,100
Outlook score
43/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
45%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
−13.9%
3,800 openings / yr

How to become Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Typical education
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Key skills

Instructing
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Monitoring
3.9
Reading Comprehension
3.9
Writing
3.9
Learning Strategies
3.9
Active Listening
3.8
Social Perceptiveness
3.8

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language
5.7
Customer and Personal Service
4.6
Education and Training
4.5
Geography
3.7
Administrative
3.5
Sociology and Anthropology
3.3
Psychology
3.1
History and Archeology
3.0

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCoaching and Developing OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicTraining and Teaching Others

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClarityDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree
41%
Master's degree
20%
Associate's degree
11%
Post-bachelor's certificate
11%
High school diploma
11%
Some college
3%
Post-master's certificate
2%

Training before entry

1–3 months
27%
6–12 months
20%
Up to 1 month
19%
None / short demo
16%
1–2 years
12%
3–6 months
4%
4–10 years
2%

Related work experience

2–4 years
34%
1–2 years
22%
6–12 months
9%
4–6 years
4%
1–3 months
3%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.