High school teacher salary
BLS occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $72,040 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $59,980–$92,570 25th to 75th percentile
High school teachers employed 1,065,210 −0.2% projected by 2035
How much does a high school teacher make?
- The median high school teacher salary in the US is $72,040 a year: half of the 1,065,210 high school teachers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $76,320.
- The middle half earn between $59,980 and $92,570. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $48,780 and the top 10% more than $107,600.
- That is 41% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays high school teachers the most (median $102,670), followed by California ($101,370) and New York ($97,070). Oklahoma pays the least ($48,710).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $95,942 in typical US prices, then California and Rhode Island.
- In 247 of the 365 metro areas with data, the median high school teacher salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of high school teachers to shrink 0.2% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 63,500 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what high school teachers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
High school teacher salary range
Half of high school teachers earn between $59,980 and $92,570 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $48,780
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $59,980
Median Yearly pay: $72,040
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $92,570
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $107,600
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $48,780 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $59,980 |
| Median | $72,040 |
| Top 25% earn over | $92,570 |
| Top 10% earn over | $107,600 |
High school teacher salary by state
Washington pays high school teachers the most; Oklahoma the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($72,040), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 median |
| California | $101,370 median |
| New York | $97,070 median |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 median |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 median |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 median |
| New Jersey | $82,200 median |
| Connecticut | $80,970 median |
| Illinois | $79,990 median |
| Alaska | $79,650 median |
| Oregon | $79,570 median |
| Ohio | $78,800 median |
| Pennsylvania | $78,800 median |
| Maryland | $78,670 median |
| Delaware | $77,960 median |
| New Hampshire | $77,060 median |
| Minnesota | $76,460 median |
| Utah | $76,330 median |
| Vermont | $76,220 median |
| New Mexico | $75,900 median |
| Georgia | $75,480 median |
| Hawaii | $74,310 median |
| Colorado | $72,900 median |
| Virginia | $72,170 median |
| Michigan | $66,030 median |
| Nevada | $65,520 median |
| Maine | $64,880 median |
| Texas | $63,590 median |
| Nebraska | $63,450 median |
| Wisconsin | $62,870 median |
| Wyoming | $62,690 median |
| South Carolina | $62,580 median |
| Alabama | $61,990 median |
| Indiana | $61,880 median |
| Tennessee | $61,860 median |
| Idaho | $61,690 median |
| Kentucky | $61,560 median |
| North Dakota | $61,210 median |
| Iowa | $61,200 median |
| Montana | $60,990 median |
| Florida | $60,410 median |
| Kansas | $59,920 median |
| Louisiana | $59,850 median |
| Arkansas | $59,660 median |
| Missouri | $59,240 median |
| Arizona | $58,360 median |
| North Carolina | $57,650 median |
| West Virginia | $56,610 median |
| South Dakota | $51,050 median |
| Mississippi | $50,980 median |
| Oklahoma | $48,710 median |
Where high school teacher pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
High school teachers' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,942 |
| California | $91,555 |
| Rhode Island | $90,546 |
| Massachusetts | $90,074 |
| New York | $89,945 |
| Ohio | $84,938 |
| New Mexico | $82,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,761 |
| Illinois | $80,024 |
| Georgia | $78,386 |
High school teacher pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 | $62,950 | $128,410 | 14,880 | $95,942 |
| California | $101,370 | $64,600 | $132,600 | 99,230 | $91,555 |
| New York | $97,070 | $60,070 | $136,450 | 70,660 | $89,945 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 | $61,500 | $122,660 | 28,460 | $90,074 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 | $51,670 | $100,370 | 4,910 | $90,546 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 | $50,750 | $128,170 | 2,800 | $75,295 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 | $63,040 | $108,230 | 38,140 | $75,548 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 | $51,710 | $113,610 | 14,800 | $78,149 |
| Illinois | $79,990 | $49,020 | $135,960 | 44,670 | $80,024 |
| Alaska | $79,650 | $63,360 | $98,140 | 2,790 | $77,814 |
| Oregon | $79,570 | $49,640 | $101,310 | 11,730 | $76,983 |
| Ohio | $78,800 | $48,370 | $103,150 | 49,540 | $84,938 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,800 | $51,440 | $102,360 | 52,240 | $80,761 |
| Maryland | $78,670 | $58,150 | $102,690 | 16,640 | $74,953 |
| Delaware | $77,960 | $51,420 | $95,220 | 5,360 | $78,110 |
| New Hampshire | $77,060 | $48,570 | $96,510 | 5,860 | $73,979 |
| Minnesota | $76,460 | $49,160 | $121,220 | 16,020 | $77,529 |
| Utah | $76,330 | $51,400 | $98,730 | 11,030 | $77,207 |
| Vermont | $76,220 | $49,800 | $99,830 | 2,450 | $77,809 |
| New Mexico | $75,900 | $59,330 | $84,170 | 8,120 | $82,310 |
| Georgia | $75,480 | $49,450 | $96,820 | 25,730 | $78,386 |
| Hawaii | $74,310 | $56,040 | $98,360 | 5,590 | $67,585 |
| Colorado | $72,900 | $48,970 | $101,300 | 18,310 | $70,741 |
| Virginia | $72,170 | $49,900 | $107,930 | 31,100 | $71,382 |
| Michigan | $66,030 | $47,830 | $98,720 | 25,540 | $68,626 |
| Nevada | $65,520 | $54,850 | $83,190 | 8,920 | $65,534 |
| Maine | $64,880 | $47,520 | $83,450 | 5,540 | $66,852 |
| Texas | $63,590 | $50,410 | $78,020 | 111,660 | $65,518 |
| Nebraska | $63,450 | $46,870 | $78,510 | 7,170 | $70,419 |
| Wisconsin | $62,870 | $48,550 | $83,340 | 15,910 | $66,815 |
| Wyoming | $62,690 | $51,440 | $78,830 | 1,600 | $67,633 |
| South Carolina | $62,580 | $48,740 | $80,700 | 16,080 | $66,753 |
| Alabama | $61,990 | $48,190 | $76,300 | 15,880 | $69,790 |
| Indiana | $61,880 | $48,300 | $95,070 | 20,430 | $66,303 |
| Tennessee | $61,860 | $49,050 | $79,180 | 21,230 | $67,334 |
| Idaho | $61,690 | $47,950 | $91,620 | 6,570 | $64,601 |
| Kentucky | $61,560 | $47,130 | $83,310 | 12,780 | $68,279 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 | $47,630 | $81,310 | 3,070 | $68,807 |
| Iowa | $61,200 | $47,480 | $79,270 | 12,310 | $69,734 |
| Montana | $60,990 | $38,120 | $81,270 | 3,670 | $64,441 |
| Florida | $60,410 | $49,210 | $77,100 | 49,810 | $58,416 |
| Kansas | $59,920 | $47,630 | $76,230 | 10,860 | $66,528 |
| Louisiana | $59,850 | $47,590 | $79,720 | 15,210 | $67,852 |
| Arkansas | $59,660 | $49,430 | $75,760 | 12,890 | $68,624 |
| Missouri | $59,240 | $40,540 | $79,300 | 24,380 | $65,230 |
| Arizona | $58,360 | $46,240 | $93,530 | 21,190 | $57,968 |
| North Carolina | $57,650 | $45,430 | $64,460 | 28,620 | $61,118 |
| West Virginia | $56,610 | $48,450 | $64,040 | 3,590 | $63,254 |
| South Dakota | $51,050 | $47,130 | $62,040 | 3,360 | $57,628 |
| Mississippi | $50,980 | $45,760 | $62,850 | 10,400 | $58,629 |
| Oklahoma | $48,710 | $45,150 | $71,650 | 15,480 | $55,451 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
High school teacher salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes high school teacher pay: 369 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Mount Vernon, WA $121,190
- Oxnard, CA $108,850
- San Jose, CA $108,230
- Olympia, WA $105,200
- Sacramento, CA $105,060
- Walla Walla, WA $104,940
- Bremerton, WA $104,180
- Longview, WA $104,110
- San Francisco, CA $102,880
- Santa Maria, CA $102,840
Where the pay goes furthest
- Mount Vernon, WA $118,300
- Longview, WA $106,730
- Walla Walla, WA $106,518
- Yakima, WA $105,249
- El Centro, CA $104,482
- Barnstable, MA $102,815
- Kennewick, WA $102,519
- Olympia, WA $101,476
- Merced, CA $101,348
- Kingston, NY $100,587
All 369 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon, WA | $121,190 | 240 | $118,300 | 22% |
| Oxnard, CA | $108,850 | 2,210 | $98,476 | 33% |
| San Jose, CA | $108,230 | 4,130 | $98,014 | 42% |
| Olympia, WA | $105,200 | 490 | $101,476 | 23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $105,060 | 6,040 | $98,491 | 26% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $104,940 | 120 | $106,518 | 17% |
| Bremerton, WA | $104,180 | 420 | $98,649 | 24% |
| Longview, WA | $104,110 | 200 | $106,730 | 16% |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,880 | 11,520 | $88,987 | 40% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $102,840 | 1,060 | $94,524 | 38% |
| San Diego, CA | $102,810 | 6,690 | $91,887 | 35% |
| Seattle, WA | $102,670 | 7,720 | $92,385 | 26% |
| Kennewick, WA | $102,600 | 720 | $102,519 | 20% |
| Vallejo, CA | $102,590 | 800 | $94,571 | 29% |
| Napa, CA | $102,510 | 300 | $91,076 | 34% |
| Bellingham, WA | $102,160 | 430 | $98,864 | 23% |
| Hanford, CA | $102,010 | 730 | $100,392 | 23% |
| Modesto, CA | $101,890 | 1,900 | $97,870 | 24% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $101,730 | 1,040 | $94,383 | 31% |
| Salinas, CA | $101,590 | 1,200 | $93,166 | 33% |
| Kingston, NY | $101,300 | 560 | $100,587 | 24% |
| Barnstable, MA | $101,120 | 750 | $102,815 | 31% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $101,010 | 260 | $97,261 | 21% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $100,960 | 32,250 | $88,900 | 35% |
| New York, NY | $100,800 | 75,780 | $89,550 | 42% |
| Fresno, CA | $100,750 | 3,210 | $98,622 | 24% |
| Stockton, CA | $100,590 | 1,920 | $95,719 | 29% |
| Yakima, WA | $100,560 | 600 | $105,249 | 16% |
| Yuba City, CA | $100,170 | 670 | $96,102 | 24% |
| Riverside, CA | $100,130 | 12,450 | $94,070 | 30% |
| Merced, CA | $99,600 | 1,020 | $101,348 | 25% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $99,560 | 410 | $91,679 | 34% |
| El Centro, CA | $99,440 | 780 | $104,482 | 22% |
| Spokane, WA | $99,410 | 1,180 | $99,067 | 18% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $99,150 | 3,300 | $98,279 | 22% |
| Chicago, IL | $98,970 | 32,790 | $95,535 | 26% |
| Boston, MA | $98,850 | 20,600 | $91,303 | 36% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $98,810 | 560 | $89,912 | 42% |
| Chico, CA | $98,210 | 400 | $97,048 | 19% |
| Visalia, CA | $97,610 | 1,330 | $97,781 | 21% |
| Norwich, CT | $94,950 | 860 | $94,529 | 27% |
| Providence, RI | $92,110 | 6,770 | $90,505 | 28% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $90,070 | 1,600 | $91,111 | 27% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $89,320 | 2,370 | $81,629 | 30% |
| Worcester, MA | $87,050 | 3,640 | $84,908 | 29% |
| Portland, OR | $84,120 | 6,790 | $79,794 | 26% |
| Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | 520 | $87,196 | 24% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $82,960 | 4,220 | $77,631 | 42% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $82,490 | 150 | $84,380 | 23% |
| Akron, OH | $81,820 | 3,960 | $87,630 | 19% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $81,660 | 650 | $81,462 | – |
| Boulder, CO | $81,450 | 1,280 | $77,422 | 32% |
| Columbus, OH | $81,400 | 9,210 | $85,263 | 22% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $81,350 | 9,600 | $85,929 | 22% |
| Waterbury, CT | $81,070 | 1,420 | $81,250 | – |
| Lexington Park, MD | $81,050 | 610 | $80,439 | 30% |
| Bend, OR | $81,040 | 620 | $78,219 | 33% |
| York, PA | $80,870 | 990 | $84,240 | 20% |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,820 | 1,900 | $82,254 | 23% |
| Hartford, CT | $80,710 | 4,430 | $78,553 | 30% |
| Albany, NY | $80,620 | 3,500 | $80,971 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,560 | 25,460 | $78,554 | 28% |
| Washington, DC | $80,300 | 20,400 | $73,748 | 36% |
| Reading, PA | $80,250 | 1,350 | $82,681 | 23% |
| Burlington, VT | $80,100 | 740 | $79,347 | 39% |
| Allentown, PA | $79,990 | 3,750 | $80,016 | 28% |
| Eugene, OR | $79,900 | 810 | $78,667 | 27% |
| New Haven, CT | $79,800 | 2,900 | $76,321 | 31% |
| Springfield, MA | $79,760 | 1,710 | $83,031 | 30% |
| Anchorage, AK | $79,650 | 1,130 | $75,555 | 28% |
| Cleveland, OH | $79,610 | 8,560 | $84,761 | 22% |
| Buffalo, NY | $79,280 | 3,160 | $82,718 | 22% |
| Denver, CO | $79,230 | 9,070 | $74,899 | 29% |
| Lebanon, PA | $79,170 | 620 | $84,934 | 22% |
| Trenton, NJ | $79,100 | 1,590 | $76,662 | 38% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $79,010 | 9,840 | $75,375 | 26% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $78,980 | 560 | $83,044 | 27% |
| Dayton, OH | $78,970 | 3,040 | $85,194 | 20% |
| Utica, NY | $78,950 | 1,250 | $85,187 | 22% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $78,760 | 1,120 | $77,881 | 30% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $78,740 | 160 | $76,293 | 28% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $78,670 | 450 | $82,927 | 22% |
| Rockford, IL | $78,500 | 880 | $85,183 | 20% |
| Baltimore, MD | $78,350 | 9,300 | $74,985 | 30% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $78,300 | 400 | $82,515 | 26% |
| Toledo, OH | $77,930 | 3,080 | $85,211 | 19% |
| Syracuse, NY | $77,900 | 2,540 | $81,365 | 25% |
| Salem, OR | $77,810 | 1,340 | $75,071 | 25% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $77,700 | 530 | $82,099 | 21% |
| Canton, OH | $77,690 | 1,630 | $86,896 | 18% |
| Detroit, MI | $77,520 | 9,080 | $77,290 | 23% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $77,490 | 4,430 | $76,823 | 25% |
| Portland, ME | $77,470 | 2,420 | $76,057 | 36% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $77,260 | 630 | $78,225 | 30% |
| Atlanta, GA | $77,210 | 14,830 | $77,165 | 29% |
| Manchester, NH | $77,180 | 1,640 | $73,048 | 34% |
| Medford, OR | $77,180 | 490 | $76,090 | 29% |
| Watertown, NY | $77,180 | 360 | $88,015 | 23% |
| Sandusky, OH | $77,160 | 550 | $86,424 | 28% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $77,150 | 530 | $80,888 | 21% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $76,960 | 3,360 | $80,548 | 23% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $76,790 | 5,520 | $78,404 | 29% |
| Farmington, NM | $76,770 | 530 | $87,530 | 22% |
| Kahului, HI | $76,750 | 600 | $70,160 | 50% |
| Dover, DE | $76,710 | 1,050 | $78,671 | 28% |
| Rochester, NY | $76,190 | 4,430 | $78,518 | 24% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $76,170 | 400 | $86,920 | 19% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $75,990 | 540 | $81,022 | 24% |
| Lima, OH | $75,760 | 380 | $84,489 | 19% |
| Corvallis, OR | $75,730 | 150 | $72,805 | 29% |
| Lewiston, ID | $75,550 | 100 | $82,876 | 23% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $75,370 | 4,120 | $77,752 | 25% |
| Athens, GA | $75,350 | 640 | $80,724 | 28% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $75,250 | 760 | $83,415 | 23% |
| Provo, UT | $75,230 | 2,410 | $76,584 | 28% |
| Scranton, PA | $75,050 | 1,850 | $80,219 | 22% |
| Binghamton, NY | $74,970 | 770 | $80,732 | 26% |
| Youngstown, OH | $74,720 | 1,570 | $85,498 | 17% |
| Albany, OR | $74,450 | 390 | $72,919 | 26% |
| Honolulu, HI | $74,310 | 3,940 | $66,969 | 49% |
| Louisville, KY | $74,040 | 3,960 | $79,550 | 22% |
| Duluth, MN | $74,030 | 630 | $83,397 | 22% |
| Ithaca, NY | $73,960 | 240 | $71,586 | 32% |
| Ogden, UT | $73,770 | 1,500 | $73,513 | 27% |
| Mansfield, OH | $73,490 | 620 | $82,692 | 15% |
| State College, PA | $73,250 | 510 | $75,701 | 32% |
| Staunton, VA | $72,990 | 460 | $80,096 | 24% |
| Reno, NV | $72,960 | 1,390 | $72,228 | 34% |
| Logan, UT | $72,870 | 850 | $75,964 | 24% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $72,860 | 2,090 | $73,857 | 24% |
| Rochester, MN | $72,790 | 800 | $80,147 | 26% |
| Johnstown, PA | $72,780 | 580 | $84,698 | 15% |
| Springfield, IL | $72,510 | 750 | $78,182 | 20% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $72,410 | 700 | $76,350 | 21% |
| St. George, UT | $72,020 | 510 | $74,003 | 31% |
| Elmira, NY | $71,640 | 220 | $75,891 | 19% |
| Salisbury, MD | $71,400 | 450 | $74,673 | 33% |
| Odessa, TX | $66,620 | 580 | $70,951 | 28% |
| Saginaw, MI | $66,300 | 500 | $72,945 | 19% |
| Bloomington, IL | $66,280 | 530 | $70,860 | 23% |
| Traverse City, MI | $66,200 | 380 | $70,899 | 34% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $66,190 | 8,450 | $69,403 | 28% |
| Janesville, WI | $66,180 | 340 | $70,627 | 23% |
| Flint, MI | $65,920 | 1,070 | $70,856 | 19% |
| Dallas, TX | $65,890 | 28,000 | $63,915 | 30% |
| Erie, PA | $65,870 | 750 | $72,424 | 21% |
| Houston, TX | $65,540 | 26,260 | $66,451 | 30% |
| Midland, TX | $65,540 | 680 | $68,426 | 29% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $65,520 | 6,760 | $65,379 | 32% |
| Dalton, GA | $65,500 | 350 | $72,904 | 26% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $65,290 | 680 | $66,611 | 36% |
| Charleston, SC | $65,280 | 2,430 | $64,658 | 37% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $65,100 | 1,790 | $71,176 | 28% |
| Elkhart, IN | $64,970 | 610 | $71,929 | 22% |
| Laredo, TX | $64,970 | 1,070 | $74,716 | 21% |
| Grand Island, NE | $64,910 | 340 | $74,905 | 25% |
| Lexington, KY | $64,850 | 1,540 | $69,815 | 30% |
| Macon, GA | $64,800 | 570 | $73,197 | 22% |
| Nashville, TN | $64,710 | 6,080 | $67,170 | 33% |
| Midland, MI | $64,420 | 160 | $70,082 | 26% |
| Niles, MI | $64,420 | 480 | $69,741 | 26% |
| Monroe, MI | $64,390 | 390 | $68,872 | 24% |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,220 | 1,580 | $69,000 | 26% |
| Lewiston, ME | $64,110 | 420 | $67,672 | 30% |
| Madison, WI | $64,080 | 1,940 | $65,867 | 33% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $64,060 | 440 | $67,095 | 32% |
| Greenville, SC | $64,060 | 2,700 | $68,690 | 29% |
| Savannah, GA | $63,960 | 900 | $67,181 | 33% |
| Lansing, MI | $63,900 | 1,290 | $67,270 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $63,900 | 1,560 | $62,392 | 40% |
| Omaha, NE | $63,900 | 3,540 | $69,524 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $63,780 | 1,040 | $63,224 | 36% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $63,730 | 4,330 | $66,701 | 30% |
| Killeen, TX | $63,650 | 1,670 | $69,844 | 25% |
| Muskegon, MI | $63,650 | 500 | $68,797 | 24% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $63,640 | 260 | $70,289 | 22% |
| Jackson, MI | $63,590 | 280 | $69,286 | 22% |
| Billings, MT | $63,550 | 650 | $67,949 | 26% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $63,540 | 460 | $68,984 | 29% |
| Ames, IA | $63,450 | 310 | $71,429 | 22% |
| Rome, GA | $63,450 | 130 | $70,374 | 24% |
| Augusta, GA | $63,420 | 1,430 | $69,008 | 28% |
| Cleveland, TN | $63,380 | 280 | $71,957 | 27% |
| Decatur, AL | $63,350 | 420 | $72,639 | 20% |
| Bozeman, MT | $63,330 | 360 | $61,779 | 42% |
| Mankato, MN | $63,220 | 260 | $69,507 | 23% |
| Beaumont, TX | $63,210 | 1,320 | $70,197 | 25% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $63,200 | 910 | $63,744 | 39% |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,130 | 2,820 | $68,198 | 33% |
| Anniston, AL | $63,110 | 370 | $73,427 | 18% |
| Springfield, OH | $63,030 | 470 | $69,660 | 23% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $63,020 | 1,470 | $68,004 | 27% |
| Gainesville, GA | $62,950 | 520 | $65,054 | 32% |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,920 | 860 | $68,704 | 24% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $62,910 | 1,120 | $69,093 | 28% |
| Green Bay, WI | $62,890 | 690 | $67,561 | 21% |
| Valdosta, GA | $62,780 | 390 | $71,122 | 25% |
| La Crosse, WI | $62,740 | 530 | $68,367 | 26% |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,650 | 2,850 | $68,362 | 27% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $62,650 | 3,720 | $62,975 | 32% |
| Lafayette, IN | $62,590 | 630 | $66,991 | 28% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $62,580 | 790 | $66,829 | 33% |
| El Paso, TX | $62,570 | 3,620 | $69,590 | 29% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $62,570 | 6,160 | $65,384 | 29% |
| Columbus, GA | $62,540 | 690 | $70,037 | 26% |
| Kenosha, WI | $62,540 | 320 | $61,849 | – |
| Sherman, TX | $62,530 | 400 | $66,684 | 26% |
| McAllen, TX | $62,500 | 4,010 | $72,763 | 21% |
| Des Moines, IA | $62,480 | 2,660 | $68,134 | 25% |
| Minot, ND | $62,480 | 290 | $71,793 | 24% |
| Daphne, AL | $62,400 | 820 | $65,899 | 33% |
| Austin, TX | $62,320 | 8,160 | $63,549 | 31% |
| Brownsville, TX | $62,320 | 1,970 | $72,486 | 29% |
| Greeley, CO | $62,310 | 850 | $62,201 | 32% |
| Memphis, TN | $62,230 | 4,860 | $67,510 | 27% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $62,180 | 680 | $66,029 | 31% |
| Owensboro, KY | $62,150 | 320 | $70,139 | 24% |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,130 | 9,870 | $65,339 | 28% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $62,110 | 2,940 | $67,989 | 30% |
| Naples, FL | $62,110 | 700 | $60,184 | 50% |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,100 | 590 | $67,862 | 34% |
| Florence, AL | $62,080 | 620 | $73,193 | 21% |
| Lawrence, KS | $62,080 | 370 | $68,792 | 30% |
| Shreveport, LA | $62,040 | 1,090 | $73,190 | 25% |
| Decatur, IL | $62,000 | 310 | $70,118 | 20% |
| Richmond, VA | $62,000 | 4,420 | $63,357 | 33% |
| Kingsport, TN | $61,990 | 790 | $71,709 | 26% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $61,980 | 270 | $64,234 | 30% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $61,970 | 480 | $69,230 | 25% |
| Davenport, IA | $61,960 | 1,170 | $69,556 | 19% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $61,850 | 370 | $72,145 | 24% |
| San Antonio, TX | $61,840 | 10,130 | $65,290 | 27% |
| Wichita, KS | $61,840 | 2,320 | $69,525 | 23% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,780 | 1,280 | $69,445 | 24% |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,760 | 970 | $65,970 | 27% |
| Montgomery, AL | $61,720 | 1,210 | $68,821 | 27% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,710 | 2,760 | $61,277 | 34% |
| Michigan City, IN | $61,690 | 330 | $67,287 | 23% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $61,680 | 170 | $67,305 | 22% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,650 | 540 | $70,219 | 19% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $61,630 | 830 | $70,256 | 32% |
| Peoria, IL | $61,620 | 1,230 | $67,543 | 23% |
| Appleton, WI | $61,600 | 780 | $66,653 | 23% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $61,560 | 320 | $67,968 | 25% |
| Mobile, AL | $61,550 | 1,110 | $69,865 | 25% |
| Paducah, KY | $61,540 | 250 | $71,488 | 22% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,520 | 560 | $68,220 | 24% |
| Champaign, IL | $61,480 | 660 | $66,319 | 27% |
| Pueblo, CO | $61,480 | 420 | $66,999 | 26% |
| Racine, WI | $61,460 | 410 | $64,047 | 29% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $61,460 | 460 | $65,373 | 26% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $61,430 | 360 | $70,884 | 22% |
| Missoula, MT | $61,320 | 350 | $63,580 | 32% |
| Huntington, WV | $61,300 | 920 | $69,327 | 21% |
| Morristown, TN | $61,300 | 330 | $70,979 | 31% |
| Bangor, ME | $61,290 | 430 | $63,508 | 30% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $61,290 | 1,210 | $66,208 | 25% |
| Lubbock, TX | $61,270 | 1,820 | $67,096 | 26% |
| Auburn, AL | $61,250 | 840 | $69,655 | 31% |
| Bismarck, ND | $61,210 | 650 | $67,246 | 26% |
| Waco, TX | $61,210 | 1,220 | $66,137 | 28% |
| Wheeling, WV | $61,210 | 390 | $69,302 | 17% |
| Kansas City, MO | $61,200 | 7,750 | $66,131 | 30% |
| Dothan, AL | $61,190 | 550 | $72,990 | 24% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,180 | 380 | $65,930 | 22% |
| Houma, LA | $61,180 | 380 | $71,889 | 26% |
| Boise, ID | $61,140 | 2,920 | $62,140 | 38% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $61,090 | 650 | $64,706 | 28% |
| Tyler, TX | $61,060 | 900 | $66,257 | 26% |
| Tampa, FL | $61,030 | 8,180 | $60,492 | 39% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $60,960 | 810 | $70,976 | 21% |
| Florence, SC | $60,950 | 700 | $70,240 | 30% |
| Longview, TX | $60,950 | 1,110 | $68,112 | 23% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $60,920 | 610 | $70,939 | 24% |
| Muncie, IN | $60,890 | 330 | $69,077 | 21% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $60,880 | 480 | $65,667 | 33% |
| Great Falls, MT | $60,850 | 350 | $62,832 | 28% |
| Altoona, PA | $60,770 | 700 | $67,894 | 20% |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,750 | 2,860 | $65,607 | 31% |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,720 | 930 | $66,764 | 27% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $60,690 | 3,110 | $66,854 | 27% |
| Slidell, LA | $60,600 | 670 | $65,354 | – |
| Winchester, VA | $60,590 | 450 | $62,820 | 36% |
| Orlando, FL | $60,540 | 8,650 | $59,694 | 38% |
| Deltona, FL | $60,520 | 2,010 | $60,906 | 35% |
| Helena, MT | $60,520 | 250 | $63,256 | 33% |
| Sioux City, IA | $60,510 | 460 | $69,991 | 26% |
| Little Rock, AR | $60,480 | 2,920 | $67,678 | 24% |
| Fargo, ND | $60,460 | 770 | $66,534 | 22% |
| Waterloo, IA | $60,440 | 660 | $69,426 | 20% |
| Crestview, FL | $60,430 | 500 | $62,279 | 39% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $60,420 | 350 | $65,017 | 25% |
| Miami, FL | $60,410 | 12,010 | $52,919 | 53% |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,380 | 4,210 | $61,514 | 33% |
| Kokomo, IN | $60,320 | 190 | $67,285 | 22% |
| Charlotte, NC | $60,300 | 8,500 | $61,943 | 35% |
| Columbia, SC | $60,280 | 3,310 | $64,359 | 31% |
| South Bend, IN | $60,280 | 1,130 | $64,916 | 25% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $60,270 | 1,220 | $58,887 | 36% |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,200 | 350 | $68,936 | 21% |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,180 | 640 | $68,442 | 30% |
| Topeka, KS | $60,130 | 920 | $67,699 | 25% |
| Sumter, SC | $60,110 | 310 | $68,291 | 29% |
| Springfield, MO | $60,060 | 1,550 | $67,799 | 25% |
| Abilene, TX | $59,990 | 610 | $66,387 | 40% |
| Evansville, IN | $59,850 | 760 | $65,390 | 22% |
| Texarkana, TX | $59,770 | 610 | $71,145 | 25% |
| Jackson, TN | $59,700 | 580 | $69,807 | 28% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,570 | 14,730 | $57,658 | 35% |
| Wausau, WI | $59,560 | 370 | $64,284 | 19% |
| Rapid City, SD | $59,540 | 390 | $66,779 | 29% |
| San Angelo, TX | $59,470 | 440 | $64,325 | 27% |
| Asheville, NC | $59,320 | 1,080 | $61,468 | 34% |
| Amarillo, TX | $59,240 | 980 | $64,518 | 27% |
| Weirton, WV | $59,150 | 300 | $66,443 | 16% |
| Ocala, FL | $59,140 | 740 | $62,100 | 32% |
| Greensboro, NC | $58,990 | 2,300 | $63,522 | 29% |
| Gadsden, AL | $58,960 | 330 | $68,836 | 22% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $58,840 | 1,400 | $58,837 | 38% |
| College Station, TX | $58,750 | 880 | $64,595 | 31% |
| Gainesville, FL | $58,730 | 620 | $60,714 | 34% |
| Columbia, MO | $58,720 | 950 | $65,654 | 30% |
| Bay City, MI | $58,690 | 220 | $63,848 | 21% |
| Bloomington, IN | $58,630 | 350 | $61,661 | 36% |
| Monroe, LA | $58,590 | 760 | $70,086 | 24% |
| Victoria, TX | $58,430 | 300 | $65,039 | 24% |
| Hammond, LA | $58,410 | 610 | $69,157 | 27% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $58,290 | 890 | $65,228 | 27% |
| Lakeland, FL | $58,000 | 1,860 | $59,707 | 38% |
| Wilmington, NC | $57,980 | 730 | $60,132 | 36% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $57,930 | 1,330 | $62,938 | 32% |
| Durham, NC | $57,870 | 1,620 | $59,310 | 34% |
| Hickory, NC | $57,790 | 630 | $65,310 | 33% |
| Manhattan, KS | $57,620 | 330 | $63,907 | 26% |
| Pensacola, FL | $57,550 | 1,270 | $58,895 | 36% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $57,450 | 380 | $57,264 | 44% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $57,250 | 830 | $60,957 | 31% |
| Gulfport, MS | $57,240 | 1,190 | $63,596 | 30% |
| Greenville, NC | $57,230 | 360 | $64,738 | 31% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $56,280 | 240 | $63,711 | 40% |
| Charleston, WV | $55,800 | 330 | $62,897 | 26% |
| Beckley, WV | $54,960 | 170 | $62,194 | 23% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $53,960 | 310 | $60,464 | 28% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $53,600 | 690 | $53,478 | 52% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $52,180 | 360 | $58,986 | 35% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $52,140 | 1,020 | $60,732 | 31% |
| Panama City, FL | $52,070 | 480 | $53,517 | 40% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $51,630 | 920 | $56,967 | 29% |
| Lawton, OK | $51,000 | 370 | $59,343 | 26% |
| Jackson, MS | $50,980 | 2,400 | $57,250 | 35% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $50,950 | 710 | $57,914 | 24% |
| Tucson, AZ | $50,940 | 3,320 | $52,572 | 35% |
| Joplin, MO | $50,690 | 580 | $59,136 | 29% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $50,650 | 5,530 | $56,024 | 33% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $49,790 | 360 | $57,639 | 24% |
| Burlington, NC | $49,680 | 350 | $53,307 | 32% |
| Yuma, AZ | $49,670 | 520 | $53,578 | 34% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $49,590 | 670 | $56,588 | 32% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,580 | 1,030 | $53,904 | 35% |
| Sebring, FL | $49,450 | 300 | $53,477 | 37% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $49,350 | 370 | $52,445 | 37% |
| Alexandria, LA | $48,740 | 610 | $56,882 | 25% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $48,590 | 410 | $49,453 | 47% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $48,570 | 290 | $56,426 | 25% |
| Kankakee, IL | $48,500 | 420 | $50,314 | 33% |
| Tulsa, OK | $48,410 | 3,820 | $54,263 | 34% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,770 | 320 | $54,277 | 32% |
| Lafayette, LA | $47,750 | 490 | $54,754 | 35% |
| Enid, OK | $47,430 | 220 | $56,284 | 28% |
What the median high school teacher salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $72,040 |
| Month | $6,003 |
| Every two weeks | $2,771 |
| Week | $1,385 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a high school teacher: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.2% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 63,500 |
| Self-employed | 0.1% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school teacher | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree |
| Middle school teacher | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree |
| Kindergarten teacher | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| Librarian | $68,270 | Master's degree |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | Some college |
| Preschool teacher | $38,140 | Associate's degree |
| Substitute teacher | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree |
| Special education teacher | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about high school teacher pay
How much does a high school teacher make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for high school teachers, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $72,040 a year.
How much does a high school teacher make a month?
About $6,003 a month before taxes at the median salary of $72,040, or $2,771 every two weeks.
What state pays high school teachers the most?
Washington, with a median of $102,670. California ($101,370), New York ($97,070), Massachusetts ($95,260) and Rhode Island ($92,610) follow.
Where do high school teachers make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $102,670 is worth $95,942 at typical US prices. California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level high school teachers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of high school teachers earn under $48,780 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $59,980, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a high school teacher?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 25-2031 (Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.