Teachers of adult literacy and remedial education held about 76,000 jobs in 2006. Many additional teachers worked as unpaid volunteers. Many of the jobs are federally funded, with additional funds coming from State and local governments. The overwhelming majority of these teachers are employed by the educational services industry, primarily in local school districts, adult learning centers, and community colleges.

Median hourly earnings of adult literacy and remedial education teachers were $43,910 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,660 and $57,310. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $75,680. Part-time adult literacy and remedial education instructors are usually paid by the hour or for each class that they teach, and receive few or no benefits. Full-time teachers are generally paid a salary and receive health insurance and other benefits if they work for a school system or government.

The work of adult literacy and remedial education teachers is closely related to that of other types of teachers, especially preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and secondary school teachers. In addition, adult literacy and basic and secondary education teachers require a wide variety of skills and aptitudes. Not only must they be able to teach and motivate students (including, at times, those with learning disabilities), but they also must often take on roles as advisers and mentors. Workers in other occupations that require these aptitudes include special-education teachers, counselors, and social workers. Other occupations that involve working with speakers of languages other than English include interpreters and translators.