High School Teacher: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$72,040

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

1,065,210

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

considerable preparation

Most common education

Bachelor's Degree

77% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (O*NET-SOC 25-2031.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
2. Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
3. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
4. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
5. Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
6. Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
7. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
8. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

Telework available

less than 0.5%

of workers had the ability to telework

Workday sitting

39.6%

mean share of the day required to sit

Most common strength level

Light

90.0% of workers

Can pause work

35.8%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

27.1%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

28.7%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

On TryHired lists: Jobs that don't require experience.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. Educational services; state, local, and private98.9% of all jobs in this occupation · -0.2% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $76,350
2. Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations0.6% of all jobs in this occupation · +1.4% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $58,430
3. Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals0.2% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.1% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $82,890
4. Administrative and support services0.0% of all jobs in this occupation · -1.3% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $64,140
5. Hospitals; state, local, and private0.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +7.9% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $58,190
6. Nursing and residential care facilities0.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +5.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $55,840

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: Education and Training, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology.

• Common CurriculumComputer based training software
• DesmosAnalytical or scientific software
• FlipgridVideo creation and editing software
• GeogebraAnalytical or scientific software
• Google DriveCloud-based data access and sharing software
• Instructional softwareComputer based training software
• MoodleComputer based training software
• NearpodMulti-media educational software
• SchoologyComputer based training software
• ScreencastifyVideo creation and editing software
• Video editing softwareVideo creation and editing software
• Microsoft ExcelSpreadsheet softwareHot technology

Also called: Secondary School Teacher, Art Teacher, English Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Music Teacher, PE Teacher (Physical Education Teacher), Science Teacher.