ESL Teacher Salary Overview
The ESL Teacher is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $59,400. Compensation typically ranges from $35,600 for entry-level positions to $88,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical ESL Teacher in the US earns between $35,600 and $88,200 per year, with a median of $59,400.
ESL Teacher Salary by Experience
Entry-level esl teachers earn around $38,610, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $80,190 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $39,798 | $19/hr | $33,244 |
| Mid | $59,400 | $29/hr | $47,912 |
| Senior | $74,250 | $36/hr | $57,578 |
| Lead | $85,536 | $41/hr | $64,468 |
ESL Teacher Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a ESL Teacher in each US state.
Pay for esl teachers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,805 | $4,544 | $46,961 | 20.9% |
| Alaska | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| Arizona | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,120 | $4,544 | $48,646 | 18.1% |
| Arkansas | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,387 | $4,544 | $47,379 | 20.2% |
| California | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,855 | $4,544 | $47,912 | 19.3% |
| Colorado | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,954 | $4,544 | $47,813 | 19.5% |
| Connecticut | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,517 | $4,544 | $47,249 | 20.5% |
| Delaware | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,730 | $4,544 | $47,037 | 20.8% |
| District of Columbia | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,512 | $4,544 | $47,254 | 20.4% |
| Florida | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| Georgia | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,602 | $4,544 | $47,164 | 20.6% |
| Hawaii | $59,400 | $5,090 | $3,973 | $4,544 | $45,794 | 22.9% |
| Idaho | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,598 | $4,544 | $47,168 | 20.6% |
| Illinois | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,803 | $4,544 | $46,963 | 20.9% |
| Indiana | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,812 | $4,544 | $47,955 | 19.3% |
| Iowa | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,257 | $4,544 | $47,509 | 20.0% |
| Kansas | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,729 | $4,544 | $47,038 | 20.8% |
| Kentucky | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,250 | $4,544 | $47,517 | 20.0% |
| Louisiana | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,943 | $4,544 | $47,823 | 19.5% |
| Maine | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,777 | $4,544 | $46,990 | 20.9% |
| Maryland | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,648 | $4,544 | $47,119 | 20.7% |
| Massachusetts | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,750 | $4,544 | $47,016 | 20.8% |
| Michigan | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,286 | $4,544 | $47,480 | 20.1% |
| Minnesota | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,589 | $4,544 | $47,178 | 20.6% |
| Mississippi | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,214 | $4,544 | $47,553 | 19.9% |
| Missouri | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,980 | $4,544 | $47,786 | 19.6% |
| Montana | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,397 | $4,544 | $47,369 | 20.3% |
| Nebraska | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,948 | $4,544 | $47,818 | 19.5% |
| Nevada | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| New Hampshire | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| New Jersey | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,789 | $4,544 | $47,977 | 19.2% |
| New Mexico | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,916 | $4,544 | $47,851 | 19.4% |
| New York | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,793 | $4,544 | $46,973 | 20.9% |
| North Carolina | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,099 | $4,544 | $47,667 | 19.8% |
| North Dakota | $59,400 | $5,090 | $874 | $4,544 | $48,893 | 17.7% |
| Ohio | $59,400 | $5,090 | $915 | $4,544 | $48,851 | 17.8% |
| Oklahoma | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,331 | $4,544 | $47,435 | 20.1% |
| Oregon | $59,400 | $5,090 | $4,672 | $4,544 | $45,094 | 24.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,824 | $4,544 | $47,943 | 19.3% |
| Rhode Island | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,832 | $4,544 | $47,935 | 19.3% |
| South Carolina | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,174 | $4,544 | $47,592 | 19.9% |
| South Dakota | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| Tennessee | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| Texas | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| Utah | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,762 | $4,544 | $47,004 | 20.9% |
| Vermont | $59,400 | $5,090 | $1,980 | $4,544 | $47,787 | 19.6% |
| Virginia | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,899 | $4,544 | $46,867 | 21.1% |
| Washington | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
| West Virginia | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,155 | $4,544 | $47,611 | 19.8% |
| Wisconsin | $59,400 | $5,090 | $2,060 | $4,544 | $47,706 | 19.7% |
| Wyoming | $59,400 | $5,090 | $0 | $4,544 | $49,766 | 16.2% |
Top Cities for ESL Teacher Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for esl teachers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $65,340 |
| San Francisco, CA | $65,340 |
| Newark, NJ | $65,340 |
| Boston, MA | $65,340 |
| Hartford, CT | $65,340 |
Calculate ESL Teacher Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
--
--
--
Gross Annual
--
Total Tax
--
Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
--
State Tax
--
Social Security
--
Medicare
--
Tax Distribution
Calculating...
Pay Frequency Breakdown
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculating... | |||
How to Become a ESL Teacher
Becoming a esl teacher typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.ESL Teacher Career Outlook
Employment of esl teachers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.ESL Teacher Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for esl teachers in the US is $59,400, with a typical range from $35,600 to $88,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for esl teachers include NY, CA, NJ. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level esl teachers can expect to earn around $38,610 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a esl teacher can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for esl teachers is approximately $28.56, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.