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Public Universities
University of California, University of Texas at Austin, University of Michigan
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
These teachers lead college-level courses in a language, its literature, and often the culture around it, while also advising students and sometimes doing research. The work is distinctive because it blends classroom teaching with scholarship and department service, so the job is not just about speaking another language well. The tradeoff is clear: you need advanced training and often publish or take on extra duties, but the employment outlook is basically flat.
Also known as Assistant Professor of SpanishAssistant Professor of FrenchAssistant Professor of GermanLecturer in Modern LanguagesProfessor of Foreign Languages
Median Salary
$77,010
Mean $87,670
U.S. Workforce
~21K
1.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-0.2%
26.4K to 26.4K
Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary sits in the Education category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~21K workers, with a median annual pay of $77,010 and roughly 1.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 26.4 K in 2024 to 26.4K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Doctoral degree in foreign language, literature, linguistics, or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Graduate Teaching Assistant and can progress toward Senior Professor or Department Chair. High-value skills usually include Target Language Fluency, Pronunciation & Grammar, Canvas, Blackboard & Moodle, and MLA Style, Zotero & Academic Research Databases, paired with soft skills such as Speaking, Active Listening, and Instructing.
Core Responsibilities
- Prepare reading lists and outside reading materials for students.
- Lead class discussions and language practice sessions.
- Research a topic in language, literature, or culture and write it up for publication.
- Keep track of attendance, grades, and other required records.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Prepare reading lists and outside reading materials for students.
02 Lead class discussions and language practice sessions.
03 Research a topic in language, literature, or culture and write it up for publication.
04 Keep track of attendance, grades, and other required records.
05 Choose textbooks and other course materials for each class.
06 Meet with students about course choices, degree plans, and career questions.
Industries That Hire
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Private Colleges and Universities
Harvard University, Yale University, Georgetown University
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Community Colleges
Miami Dade College, Houston Community College, Santa Monica College
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Online Higher Education
Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue Global, Arizona State University
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Liberal Arts Colleges
Amherst College, Williams College, Swarthmore College
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is decent for an academic job, with a median annual wage of $77,010 and a mean of $87,670 for people who move into stronger-paying roles.
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You get to teach language, literature, and culture instead of repeating the same kind of classroom work year after year.
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There are about 1.9 thousand annual openings, so the field does hire every year even though it is small.
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No prior work experience or on-the-job training is required once you have the degree, which keeps the path straightforward after graduate school.
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The job can mix teaching, research, advising, and department service, which gives it more variety than many classroom-only roles.
Challenges
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The field is barely growing: employment is projected to stay at 26.4 thousand in 2034, with growth at -0.2%, so there is little expansion to create new jobs.
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The education bar is high, since the typical entry requirement is a doctoral or professional degree and 73.42% of workers already have a doctorate.
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With only 1.9 thousand annual openings, competition for full-time and tenure-track jobs can be intense, especially at well-known schools.
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Pay can feel modest for the amount of training required, particularly in adjunct or heavy teaching roles where research time and benefits may be limited.
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The role often includes grading, records, advising, committee work, and other administrative tasks, which can cut into time for teaching preparation and scholarship.
Career Progression
Graduate Teaching Assistant
0-3 years
$35K-$50K
Supports lead faculty, runs practice sessions, and handles grading while finishing advanced study.
Adjunct Instructor
1-5 years
$50K-$75K
Teaches one or two courses at a time, usually on short contracts, and builds classroom experience.
Foreign Language and Literature Teacher, Postsecondary THIS ROLE
5-12 years
$75K-$100K
Designs courses, teaches full classes, advises students, and may also publish research or serve on committees.
Senior Professor or Department Chair
10+ years
$100K-$140K
Handles advanced teaching, mentors junior faculty, and takes on leadership, hiring, and budget duties.
Education Paths
Doctoral degree in foreign language, literature, linguistics, or a related field
The most common entry point, held by 73.42% of workers in this role.
Master's degree in a language or literature field
A smaller route into the occupation, held by 17.84% of workers in this role.
Bachelor's degree plus later graduate study or strong teaching experience
An uncommon path, held by 8.74% of workers in this role.
Key Skills
Technical
Target Language Fluency, Pronunciation & Grammar 92%
Canvas, Blackboard & Moodle 84%
MLA Style, Zotero & Academic Research Databases 82%
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint & Google Workspace 78%
Soft Skills
SpeakingActive ListeningInstructingLearning StrategiesReading ComprehensionWriting Job Outlook and Trends
+-0.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 26.4K to 26.4 K over the next decade, representing -0.2% growth. Around 1.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.