Education & Library
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Also called: Art Teacher, Dance Instructor, Dance Teacher, Driving Instructor
US median pay
$46,800
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
50,000
419,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy.
- Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives.
- Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests, and issue grades in accordance with performance.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Prepare instructional program objectives, outlines, and lesson plans.
- Confer with other teachers and professionals to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and development.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing3.4/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Persuasion2.6/5
Knowledge
- Education and Training4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Sociology and Anthropology2.5/5
- Computers and Electronics2.5/5
- Psychology2.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Master's degree35%
- Post-secondary certificate18%
- Bachelor's degree18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.