What does an Instructor do?
An Instructor gives lessons that allow students to increase their knowledge of a specific subject. By being proficient at their job duties, they help those they instruct prepare for future opportunities, such as gaining additional education or performing well in their chosen career.
When students struggle, they offer extra guidance to help them learn the material, so they can successfully complete the coursework. A skilled Instructor can boost student satisfaction levels and help your institution or company achieve its overall mission. In addition, the administrative duties of Instructors help your school or business maintain accurate records.
Instructor skills and qualifications
To succeed in Instructor careers, candidates must meet certain qualifications. Some essential skills for prospective Instructors include:
- Expertise in the subject area that will be taught
- Knowledge of learning theories and various methods of instruction
- Strong oral communication skills to present lectures and answer questions
- Proven written communication skills to make easy-to-understand assignments, tests and student feedback reports
- Arithmetic skills to calculate scores on assignments and exams, as well as final grades
- Organizational skills to keep track of students’ work and present course material in a clear way
- Listening and observation skills to pick up on signs that students may be failing to grasp the material
- Computer skills to use presentation, word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet and student information software
Instructor experience requirements
The experience needed to successfully complete Instructor job duties depends on the needs of your institution. In most cases, employers tend to prefer candidates with one or more years of previous teaching or instruction experience. This could mean previously working as a teaching assistant, lecturer, teacher or trainer.
You may also wish to prioritize candidates with experience working in or researching the subject that the Instructor will be teaching. The amount of related work or research experience necessary for success depends on the students’ level of knowledge. For example, an Instructor for a graduate-level college course will usually need more experience than an Instructor for an undergraduate-level course.
Instructor education and training requirements
Generally, a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the Instructor’s subject area is the minimum education required for employment in the role. However, many colleges and universities prefer to hire individuals who have a master’s or doctorate degree. Companies planning to hire Instructors for employee training may wish to look for candidates with degrees in Adult Education.
Some Instructor roles may require certification. For example, a CPR Instructor will usually need to gain certification from the Red Cross, while a Firearms Safety Instructor usually must hold certification from a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Instructor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of an Instructor is $29,071 per year. The amount of money an Instructor earns annually depends on their geographic location, industry, education and experience.
Instructor salary expectations
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Common salary:
29.82 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -81.25 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Job description samples for similar positions
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Instructor job description FAQs
Do Instructors have different responsibilities in different industries?
Yes, Instructor job duties vary by industry. Instructors who teach corporate training courses may be responsible for communicating students’ progress to their supervisors. Those who work for nonprofit organizations may be involved with fundraising or attracting donors, and professionals employed by colleges and universities may work with other members of their academic departments to develop new classes and revise degree requirements.
What is the difference between a Teacher and an Instructor?
Teachers and Instructors are both responsible for educating students on assigned topics, but the terms normally apply to different types of educators. Normally, those who provide instruction for students in preschool, elementary school and secondary school are teachers. Instructors usually teach adults at post-secondary institutions, for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations.
What is the difference between a Teaching Assistant and an Instructor?
Both Teaching Assistants and Instructors may teach college-level courses. However, Teaching Assistants are usually enrolled as students in graduate degree programs. As a result, they work alongside a professor and report directly to them. Instructors normally hold a graduate degree and work independently, reporting to the head of their academic department.
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