What is a lead instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Rodney Foster

A lead instructor is usually in charge of facilitating a particular class or course, developing course content, and training staff or students. Their responsibilities may vary depending on their field of work. However, their primary responsibility includes developing learning materials, creating personal teaching strategies, and assessing the students or trainees.

Your other responsibilities may include designing and managing a Moodle LMS for online learning, creating a conducive environment for learning, and managing the hiring, training, and organizing of other instructors. You also have to create timetables, teaching schedules for other instructors and ensure the welfare and progress of the staff and your students.

To become a lead instructor, you must possess a bachelor's degree in education, business, or any related field. High on the list of employers' top skills are excellent communication, classroom management, top-notch course content, and professional development. An average lead instructor earns about $26.89 per hour, which amounts to $55,925 per year.

What general advice would you give to a Lead Instructor?

R

Rodney FosterRodney Foster LinkedIn Profile

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.
ScoreLead InstructorUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $50,221

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 8.45%

Black or African American 11.37%

Hispanic or Latino 15.93%

Unknown 5.86%

White 57.89%

Gender

female 45.95%

male 54.05%

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

Lead Instructor career paths

Key steps to become a lead instructor

  1. Explore lead instructor education requirements

    Most common lead instructor degrees

    Bachelor's

    61.7 %

    Associate

    15.2 %

    Master's

    13.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific lead instructor skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Classroom Management24.44%
    Curriculum Development12.68%
    Professional Development6.55%
    Mathematics5.53%
    CPR4.77%
  3. Research lead instructor duties and responsibilities

    • Receive laudatory comments from TRADOC accreditation team review for all courses manage.
    • Design, create and manage Moodle LMS for surface data acquisition service training.
    • Manage class rosters, paperwork, and BLS certification cards for all participants and classes.
    • Manage phone, accounting, inventory, customer service, payroll, staff schedules, marketing, hiring and training.
  4. Get lead instructor experience

  5. Prepare your lead instructor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead 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 a lead 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 Lead Instructor Resume templates

    Build a professional Lead 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 Lead Instructor resume.
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  6. Apply for lead instructor jobs

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

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

How Did You Land Your First Lead Instructor Job

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Average lead instructor salary

The average Lead Instructor salary in the United States is $50,221 per year or $24 per hour. Lead instructor salaries range between $32,000 and $78,000 per year.

Average Lead Instructor Salary
$50,221 Yearly
$24.14 hourly

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How do lead instructors rate their job?

-/5

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Lead Instructor reviews

profile
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


profile
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.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

I want to be a automotive instructor been in field for 35 yrs in some advice on how to get too be a instructor

Cons

Nothing really


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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