What is an instructor and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become an Instructor?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become an instructor. That is the time it takes to learn specific instructor skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become an instructor.

Q: How do I become a Coursera instructor?

To become a Coursera instructor, you need to create and submit a course for approval and upload it to the website. Courses must be at least 25 pages or 10,000 words long, and video lessons are highly encouraged.

Q: How much does it cost to become an NRA instructor?

It costs roughly $100 to $400 to become a National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructor, including required courses and certification. The NRA certification itself is inexpensive, costing $30 for the first and $10 for each additional. The certification is valid for two years, and renewals cost $30 each.

Q: Is an instructor a teacher?

Yes, an instructor is a teacher. Instructors working in post-secondary education, such as colleges and universities, are generally referred to as professors. Instructors who teach skills, like dance and cooking, are usually referred to simply as instructors.

Q: What are the requirements of becoming a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor?

The requirements of becoming a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor are a training course and subsequent certification. The training and certification can be gotten through the national Mental Health First Aid organization and cost roughly $2,000 to complete.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Rodney Foster,

Dr. Aniruddha (Rudy) Banerjee Ph.D.

An instructor teaches and educates students in various subjects. They may work in schools, colleges, universities, or private organizations. Instructors prepare lessons, deliver lectures, grade assignments, and provide feedback. They also engage in one-on-one discussions with students to clarify concepts and solve problems. Instructors use teaching methods and tools such as visual aids, interactive software, and online resources to enhance learning. They have excellent communication skills, subject expertise, and the ability to motivate students.

What general advice would you give to an Instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreInstructorUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,426

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.7

Growth Rate 12%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 9.48%

Black or African American 10.91%

Hispanic or Latino 16.59%

Unknown 5.90%

White 56.62%

Gender

female 48.78%

male 51.22%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.1

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.5

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Instructor?

Pros

Flexibility in scheduling and work location
Variety in daily tasks and responsibilities
Opportunities for creativity and innovation
Job security and stability
Competitive salary and benefits packages

Cons

Limited autonomy in curriculum design and teaching methods
Limited opportunities for career advancement or promotion
Low pay for part-time or adjunct positions
Potential for burnout or compassion fatigue
Dependence on institutional funding and support

Key steps to become an instructor

Explore instructor education requirements

Most common instructor degrees

Bachelor's

57.9 %

Master's

17.3 %

Associate

12.2 %

Start to develop specific instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	11.08%
CPR	10.96%
Course Curriculum	8.30%
Professional Development	7.27%
Classroom Management	4.62%

Research instructor duties and responsibilities

Discipline kids when necessary, and manage lifeguarding duties during swimming portions of the camp.
Own and manage a small business as a CPR and first aid instructor and consultant for diverse clients.
Instruct all areas of massage therapy program including anatomy, physiology, pathology, contraindications and ethics.
Teach a broad range of ESL classes, such as pronunciation, grammar, and conversation classes.

Prepare your instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your instructor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Instructor Resume templates

Build a professional Instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Instructor resume.

Apply for instructor jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do instructors rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Instructor reviews

4.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023

Pros

The transfer of knowledge and the joy on the student's face when they understand

Cons

The low pay which is often offered

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021

Pros

I love teaching the "Language of the Industry" to my students; watching them learn, implement, develop and grow; and those "light bulb" moments moments when they truly understand concepts in which I teach them.

Cons

I can't truly think of anything I don't like about Drafting Instruction.

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2021

Pros

Help my students overcome blockages and become fluent in English

Instructor FAQs

What is an instructor and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an Instructor?

What are the pros and cons of being an Instructor?

Instructor career paths

Key steps to become an instructor

Explore instructor education requirements

Most common instructor degrees

Start to develop specific instructor skills

Research instructor duties and responsibilities

Prepare your instructor resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Instructor Resume templates

Apply for instructor jobs

How Did You Land Your First Instructor Job

Average instructor salary

How do instructors rate their job?

Instructor reviews

Instructor FAQs

How long does it take to become an Instructor?

How do I become a Coursera instructor?

How much does it cost to become an NRA instructor?

Is an instructor a teacher?

What are the requirements of becoming a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor?

Search for instructor jobs

Instructor jobs by state