Who Earns What

How much does a hobby class teacher make?

US Self-Enrichment Teachers
$46,800

a year · about $23 an hour

A typical hobby class teacher in the United States makes $46,800 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They lay out supplies and plan a short lesson, then demonstrate a skill—like a dance step or camera trick—and guide learners as they try it. They adjust for each student, answer questions, and suggest ways to improve.

Did you know? A California arts teacher said he visited three different schools in a single day—some hobby-class teachers travel from class to class!

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$46,800
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $30,050 and $92,840
54 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the US, finish high school and build strong skills in the hobby you want to teach; many jobs do not require college. Get practice by helping at a camp or class, and check your employer’s requirements—full-time school jobs may require teacher qualifications.

School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience

Good for people who like helping and teaching and creating

Why does pay differ?

In the US, pay can depend on experience, skill, and any certificate a class or employer requires. It can also change with the subject you teach, your location, whether you work for a school, studio, or community group, how many classes you teach, and how well-known you are.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in District of Columbia ($66,430), lowest in Arkansas ($30,810).

See every state
Whole US$46,800
District of Columbia$66,430
New Hampshire$59,880
New York$57,790
Connecticut$55,240
Oregon$53,790
Texas$36,140
Iowa$35,670
Arkansas$30,810

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Hobby class teacher pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$30,050$46,800$92,840about 332,000
States where hobby class teachers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
District of Columbia$66,430about 600
New Hampshire$59,880about 2,000
New York$57,790about 31,000
Connecticut$55,240about 5,000
Oregon$53,790about 6,000

Official definition: 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. Excludes “Coaches and Scouts” (27-2022) and “Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors” (39-9031). Flight instructors are included with “Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers” (53-2010).

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY