What Self-Enrichment Teachers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Self-Enrichment Teachers this way: "Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests"; "Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives"; "Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics"; "Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations"; "Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Self-Enrichment Teachers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 419,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 433,700 in 2035, an increase of 14,600 jobs (+3.5%). That matches the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 50,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 11.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 14.9% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $46,800, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Self-Enrichment Teachers earn the most
Across the 11 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $42,509 in Indiana to $57,541 in New York, a gap of $15,033 (1.35 times). 7 of those 11 states average above the BLS national median of $46,800 and 4 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 58,640, which is 22.1% of the 265,430 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 44,110.
Highest-paying states
New York ($57,541), New Jersey ($56,448) and Maryland ($51,929) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($42,509) and Pennsylvania ($42,525) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Self-Enrichment Teachers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 13 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $16,947. The smallest margin is $2,081 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 13 of the 13 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 38.2% and 71.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Self-Enrichment Teachers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-3000) include Substitute Teachers, Short-Term and Tutors.
Frequently asked questions about Self-Enrichment Teachers
What is the national median wage for Self-Enrichment Teachers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $46,800. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $42,509 to $57,541.
Which state pays Self-Enrichment Teachers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $57,541. New Jersey is next at $56,448.
What is the job outlook for Self-Enrichment Teachers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 50,000 openings a year.
What education do Self-Enrichment Teachers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can Self-Enrichment Teachers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $16,947 on a median wage of $59,600.