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How much does a Driving Instructor make?

The average salary for a Driving Instructor is $45,758 per year in the US.

The role of a driving instructor offers a rewarding opportunity with a competitive salary. On average, a driving instructor can expect to earn $45,758 per year. This figure varies based on experience, location, and additional certifications.

Driving instructors often start with lower earnings, around $30,000 per year. With more experience, the salary range increases. The highest-paid driving instructors, usually those with years of experience and additional certifications, can earn upwards of $90,000 annually. This potential for growth makes this career path appealing to many job seekers.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Driving Instructor?

Seattle, Washington, often offers the highest salaries for driving instructors, averaging around $57,000 per year. Chicago, Illinois, and San Francisco, California, follow closely with average salaries of about $53,000 and $50,000 respectively. These cities combine higher living costs with increased demand for driving instructors, making them attractive options for professionals in this field.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Driving Instructor jobs, highlighting Seattle, WA with the highest at $57,178 and Milwaukee, WI with the lowest at $44,214.
  1. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $57,178
    Working as an instructor in Seattle provides a unique experience with its diverse terrains. You'll encounter city streets and hilly areas. Companies like AAA Pacific and Washington Driving School offer opportunities to teach in such varied environments.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Seattle, WA


  2. Chicago, IL
    Average Salary: $53,531
    In Chicago, teaching driving means navigating busy city roads. The city's public transport network makes it an ideal place to impart urban driving skills. Organizations such as the Chicago Driving School and Allstate Driving School are prominent employers.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL


  3. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $53,000
    San Francisco's hilly and often crowded streets offer a challenging yet rewarding teaching environment. Navigating through narrow roads and busy intersections can enhance student learning. Companies like the San Francisco Driving School provide many teaching opportunities.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Syracuse, NY
    Average Salary: $50,818
    Teaching in Syracuse combines city driving with more rural areas. It's a diverse experience where students learn city streets and suburban roads. Driving schools like Onondaga Driving School are looking for skilled instructors.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Syracuse, NY


  5. Tampa, FL
    Average Salary: $50,128
    Tampa offers a mix of urban and coastal driving experience. The warm weather provides year-round teaching opportunities. Schools like the Tampa Driving School are known for their comprehensive training programs.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Tampa, FL


  6. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $47,938
    In Sacramento, you'll find a blend of urban and rural driving conditions. The city's moderate climate makes it easier to teach throughout the year. Companies like the Sacramento Driving School offer numerous teaching positions.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Sacramento, CA


  7. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $47,452
    San Jose's driving environment includes everything from urban streets to suburban roads. It's a great place to teach both city and highway driving skills. Companies such as the Silicon Valley Driving School are prominent in the area.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Lansing, MI
    Average Salary: $45,472
    Lansing provides a mix of city and rural driving experience. The state's winter weather adds an element of challenge. Organizations like the Lansing Driving School are looking for qualified instructors.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Lansing, MI


  9. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $45,161
    Santa Rosa offers a scenic and diverse driving environment. Teaching here means navigating through both suburban and rural areas. The Santa Rosa Driving School is a notable employer in the region.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  10. Milwaukee, WI
    Average Salary: $44,214
    In Milwaukee, you'll experience both urban and suburban driving. The city's four seasons provide varied teaching conditions. Companies such as the Milwaukee Driving School offer many opportunities for skilled instructors.
    Find Driving Instructor jobs in Milwaukee, WI

What are the best companies a Driving Instructor can work for?

Driving instructors have several companies to choose from, each offering different pay rates. Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES leads the pack with the highest average salary at $86,040. Other companies, like Roy's Driver & Rider Education, Transdev, and CDI, also offer competitive salaries. Job seekers looking for stability and good pay should consider these top-paying companies.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Driving Instructor jobs, highlighting Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES with the highest at $86,040 and Safeway Driving School with the lowest at $36,917.
  1. Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES
    Average Salary: $86,040
    Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES offers rewarding Driving Instructor jobs with a competitive salary. Based in New York, the company provides top-notch training to future drivers, ensuring safety and competence on the road.


  2. Roy's Driver & Rider Education
    Average Salary: $70,960
    Roy's Driver & Rider Education provides a stable environment for Driving Instructors in New York. This company values experienced instructors, offering attractive salaries and a commitment to driver education.


  3. Transdev
    Average Salary: $58,941
    Transdev is a global company offering Driving Instructor positions with a good salary. They operate in many locations, ensuring diverse teaching opportunities and a supportive work environment.


  4. CDI
    Average Salary: $46,000
    CDI offers Driving Instructor jobs with a decent salary. This company focuses on providing quality driver education across various locations, creating a valuable career path for instructors.


  5. The Next Street
    Average Salary: $43,366
    The Next Street offers driving instruction jobs with a solid salary. They are based in Florida and offer a supportive environment for both instructors and students.


  6. Official Driving School
    Average Salary: $42,431
    Official Driving School provides Driving Instructor positions with a fair salary. They operate in several locations, focusing on safe and effective driver education.


  7. All Star Driver Education
    Average Salary: $40,600
    All Star Driver Education offers Driving Instructor jobs with a good salary. They focus on student success and provide training in multiple locations.


  8. Coastline Academy
    Average Salary: $39,654
    Coastline Academy offers Driving Instructor positions with a decent salary. They operate in coastal areas, providing training to many aspiring drivers.


  9. AAAA International Driving School, Inc.
    Average Salary: $37,000
    AAAA International Driving School, Inc. provides Driving Instructor jobs with a good salary. They have locations in multiple states, offering diverse teaching opportunities.


  10. Safeway Driving School
    Average Salary: $36,917
    Safeway Driving School offers Driving Instructor positions with a fair salary. They operate in several locations, providing essential driver education to many students.

How to earn more as a Driving Instructor?

Becoming a successful driving instructor means more than just knowing how to drive. It also means finding ways to earn more. Here are some steps that can help driving instructors increase their income.

First, gaining more experience helps instructors learn from past lessons. This allows them to teach better. Experienced instructors often know what to expect in different situations. They can help students more effectively. They can also spend less time correcting mistakes. Another way to earn more is to get specialized certifications. These might include teaching different types of vehicles or helping special groups like teens or seniors. Each new skill can attract more students and lead to higher pay.

Another way to earn more is by working extra hours. This might mean offering evening or weekend lessons. Some instructors offer online courses. These options can bring in more students and more money. Another strategy is to provide extra services. This could mean extra practice sessions or personalized lesson plans. Offering these extras can make an instructor more appealing. It can also lead to higher rates. Finally, expanding the business can also increase income. This can mean adding more vehicles for practice, hiring more instructors, or opening a new location.

Here are the key factors to consider:

  1. Gain more experience
  2. Get specialized certifications
  3. Work extra hours
  4. Provide extra services
  5. Expand the business

Currently 180 Driving Instructor job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Driving Instructor in the US?

Learn what a Driving Instructor does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Driving Instructor today.
Position
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Driving Instructor
180 Job Openings