USA Career Guide- Adult Literacy and GED Teachers

Education needed to be Adult Literacy and GED Teachers

• Most adult literacy and General Education Development (GED) teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certification.
  
  
• Most states require adult literacy and GED teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in education, but some employers prefer to hire those with a master’s degree.
  
  
• Some programs allow these prospective teachers to specialize in adult basic education, secondary education, or English as a second language (ESL).
  
  
• Some colleges and universities offer master's degrees or graduate certificates in teaching adult education or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).
  

Licenses and Certification

Many states require adult literacy and GED teachers to have a teaching certificate to work in government-run programs. Some states have certificates specifically for adult education. Other states require teachers to have a certificate in elementary or secondary education. To get a license, adult literacy and GED teachers typically need a bachelor's degree and must have passed an approved teacher-training program.

Pay of Adult Literacy and GED Teachers

The median annual wage of adult literacy and General Education Development (GED) teachers, also known as adult basic and secondary education and literacy teachers and instructors, was $46,530 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,090, and the top 10 percent earned more than $83,580.

Job Prospects of Adult Literacy and GED Teachers

Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and Ged Teachers and Instructors will be one of the fastest growing occupations with 15 percent  rate of growth from 2010 to 2020.

Immigration is expected to continue to grow from 2010 to 2020. Some immigrants do not speak English and will want to improve their communications skills to find jobs in the United States. Adult literacy teachers who teach classes in English as a second language will be needed to help these students gain the required skills.

Industrial Overview of Adult Literacy and GED Teachers

Adult literacy and GED teachers held about 86,900 jobs in 2010. Adult literacy and General Education Development (GED) teachers are often employed by community colleges, community-based organizations, and public schools. Some work in prisons.

The following industries employed the most adult literacy and GED teachers in 2010:

Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private: 27%
Junior colleges; state, local, and private: 23%
Other educational services; state, local, and private: 13%
State and local government, excluding education and hospitals: 6%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition