Middle school teacher salary
BLS occupation: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $64,370 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $58,530–$80,490 25th to 75th percentile
Middle school teachers employed 620,090 −0.4% projected by 2035
How much does a middle school teacher make?
- The median middle school teacher salary in the US is $64,370 a year: half of the 620,090 middle school teachers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $72,030.
- The middle half earn between $58,530 and $80,490. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $48,080 and the top 10% more than $102,540.
- That is 26% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays middle school teachers the most (median $102,140), followed by California ($98,950) and New York ($94,840). Oklahoma pays the least ($48,440).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $95,446 in typical US prices, then Rhode Island and Connecticut.
- In 222 of the 347 metro areas with data, the median middle school teacher salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of middle school teachers to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 38,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what middle school teachers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Middle school teacher salary range
Half of middle school teachers earn between $58,530 and $80,490 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: $48,080
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $58,530
Median Yearly pay: $64,370
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $80,490
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $102,540
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $48,080 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $58,530 |
| Median | $64,370 |
| Top 25% earn over | $80,490 |
| Top 10% earn over | $102,540 |
Middle school teacher salary by state
Washington pays middle school teachers the most; Oklahoma the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($64,370), 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 | $102,140 median |
| California | $98,950 median |
| New York | $94,840 median |
| Connecticut | $93,610 median |
| Rhode Island | $92,760 median |
| Massachusetts | $89,450 median |
| District of Columbia | $79,900 median |
| Utah | $79,180 median |
| Alaska | $78,940 median |
| New Jersey | $78,770 median |
| Maryland | $78,510 median |
| Oregon | $78,350 median |
| Pennsylvania | $77,930 median |
| Ohio | $77,090 median |
| Illinois | $76,110 median |
| New Mexico | $75,240 median |
| Vermont | $73,940 median |
| New Hampshire | $71,140 median |
| Hawaii | $69,230 median |
| Delaware | $67,780 median |
| Nevada | $66,300 median |
| Georgia | $64,780 median |
| Michigan | $63,790 median |
| Colorado | $63,760 median |
| Maine | $63,590 median |
| Virginia | $63,520 median |
| Texas | $63,390 median |
| Minnesota | $62,640 median |
| Nebraska | $62,510 median |
| Wyoming | $62,480 median |
| Wisconsin | $61,960 median |
| Alabama | $61,770 median |
| Montana | $61,550 median |
| Kentucky | $61,120 median |
| Idaho | $60,930 median |
| South Carolina | $60,810 median |
| Indiana | $60,700 median |
| Tennessee | $60,690 median |
| Kansas | $60,580 median |
| Iowa | $60,450 median |
| North Dakota | $60,100 median |
| Arizona | $59,710 median |
| Arkansas | $59,570 median |
| Missouri | $59,310 median |
| Florida | $58,940 median |
| Louisiana | $58,760 median |
| West Virginia | $57,210 median |
| North Carolina | $52,010 median |
| South Dakota | $50,980 median |
| Mississippi | $50,790 median |
| Oklahoma | $48,440 median |
Where middle 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
Middle 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 | $95,446 |
| Rhode Island | $90,692 |
| Connecticut | $90,348 |
| California | $89,370 |
| New York | $87,879 |
| Massachusetts | $84,581 |
| Ohio | $83,094 |
| New Mexico | $81,595 |
| Utah | $80,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,869 |
Middle school teacher pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,140 | $65,250 | $128,170 | 10,510 | $95,446 |
| California | $98,950 | $62,410 | $129,500 | 37,300 | $89,370 |
| New York | $94,840 | $60,040 | $137,370 | 38,670 | $87,879 |
| Connecticut | $93,610 | $60,070 | $110,120 | 7,920 | $90,348 |
| Rhode Island | $92,760 | $46,460 | $99,150 | 2,370 | $90,692 |
| Massachusetts | $89,450 | $60,590 | $107,610 | 16,570 | $84,581 |
| District of Columbia | $79,900 | $59,860 | $108,730 | 1,540 | $72,702 |
| Utah | $79,180 | $54,940 | $102,400 | 5,960 | $80,090 |
| Alaska | $78,940 | $62,630 | $97,110 | 1,150 | $77,121 |
| New Jersey | $78,770 | $61,450 | $104,790 | 23,650 | $72,396 |
| Maryland | $78,510 | $59,890 | $115,540 | 14,530 | $74,801 |
| Oregon | $78,350 | $49,360 | $100,250 | 6,940 | $75,802 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,930 | $48,610 | $105,330 | 22,720 | $79,869 |
| Ohio | $77,090 | $46,040 | $101,940 | 30,450 | $83,094 |
| Illinois | $76,110 | $47,810 | $105,580 | 24,770 | $76,142 |
| New Mexico | $75,240 | $61,630 | $82,880 | 4,260 | $81,595 |
| Vermont | $73,940 | $49,300 | $97,630 | 1,620 | $75,481 |
| New Hampshire | $71,140 | $47,600 | $92,660 | 3,120 | $68,295 |
| Hawaii | $69,230 | $51,180 | $96,720 | 2,480 | $62,964 |
| Delaware | $67,780 | $48,310 | $94,760 | 2,350 | $67,910 |
| Nevada | $66,300 | $49,610 | $83,160 | 3,910 | $66,314 |
| Georgia | $64,780 | $47,540 | $97,960 | 23,610 | $67,274 |
| Michigan | $63,790 | $46,530 | $95,370 | 15,420 | $66,298 |
| Colorado | $63,760 | $49,580 | $99,400 | 13,280 | $61,872 |
| Maine | $63,590 | $47,640 | $80,650 | 2,780 | $65,523 |
| Virginia | $63,520 | $50,590 | $99,370 | 18,290 | $62,826 |
| Texas | $63,390 | $51,410 | $75,750 | 80,160 | $65,312 |
| Minnesota | $62,640 | $47,560 | $99,340 | 8,890 | $63,516 |
| Nebraska | $62,510 | $38,790 | $78,290 | 4,150 | $69,376 |
| Wyoming | $62,480 | $51,900 | $78,670 | 1,290 | $67,407 |
| Wisconsin | $61,960 | $47,870 | $79,990 | 14,460 | $65,848 |
| Alabama | $61,770 | $48,320 | $74,090 | 10,000 | $69,543 |
| Montana | $61,550 | $39,140 | $80,290 | 1,980 | $65,032 |
| Kentucky | $61,120 | $46,270 | $79,650 | 8,040 | $67,791 |
| Idaho | $60,930 | $46,870 | $79,070 | 2,360 | $63,805 |
| South Carolina | $60,810 | $48,090 | $78,160 | 9,750 | $64,865 |
| Indiana | $60,700 | $47,720 | $79,750 | 11,700 | $65,039 |
| Tennessee | $60,690 | $48,540 | $76,830 | 13,060 | $66,061 |
| Kansas | $60,580 | $48,290 | $78,430 | 6,230 | $67,260 |
| Iowa | $60,450 | $40,920 | $79,110 | 6,270 | $68,879 |
| North Dakota | $60,100 | $47,090 | $79,760 | 1,400 | $67,559 |
| Arizona | $59,710 | $46,940 | $81,420 | 9,020 | $59,308 |
| Arkansas | $59,570 | $49,780 | $74,100 | 6,140 | $68,521 |
| Missouri | $59,310 | $43,760 | $91,130 | 11,330 | $65,307 |
| Florida | $58,940 | $49,310 | $75,520 | 31,370 | $56,994 |
| Louisiana | $58,760 | $46,260 | $78,020 | 5,560 | $66,616 |
| West Virginia | $57,210 | $45,540 | $63,130 | 4,090 | $63,924 |
| North Carolina | $52,010 | $44,660 | $61,770 | 20,650 | $55,139 |
| South Dakota | $50,980 | $47,000 | $60,790 | 2,130 | $57,549 |
| Mississippi | $50,790 | $46,020 | $60,860 | 6,260 | $58,411 |
| Oklahoma | $48,440 | $43,400 | $68,990 | 7,620 | $55,144 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Middle school teacher salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes middle school teacher pay: 351 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 $106,920
- San Jose, CA $105,030
- Olympia, WA $104,410
- Bremerton, WA $104,320
- Fresno, CA $104,250
- El Centro, CA $104,140
- Oxnard, CA $103,880
- Seattle, WA $102,560
- Merced, CA $101,770
- Walla Walla, WA $101,540
Where the pay goes furthest
- El Centro, CA $109,421
- Mount Vernon, WA $104,370
- Merced, CA $103,556
- Yakima, WA $103,365
- Walla Walla, WA $103,066
- Fresno, CA $102,048
- Kennewick, WA $101,310
- Barnstable, MA $101,270
- Olympia, WA $100,714
- Bremerton, WA $98,781
All 351 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon, WA | $106,920 | 160 | $104,370 | 25% |
| San Jose, CA | $105,030 | 3,330 | $95,116 | 44% |
| Olympia, WA | $104,410 | 420 | $100,714 | 23% |
| Bremerton, WA | $104,320 | 300 | $98,781 | 24% |
| Fresno, CA | $104,250 | 850 | $102,048 | 24% |
| El Centro, CA | $104,140 | 250 | $109,421 | 21% |
| Oxnard, CA | $103,880 | 530 | $93,980 | 34% |
| Seattle, WA | $102,560 | 5,230 | $92,286 | 26% |
| Merced, CA | $101,770 | 180 | $103,556 | 24% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $101,540 | 80 | $103,066 | 17% |
| Kennewick, WA | $101,390 | 600 | $101,310 | 20% |
| Modesto, CA | $101,250 | 740 | $97,255 | 25% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $100,900 | 180 | $97,155 | 21% |
| Riverside, CA | $100,810 | 4,860 | $94,709 | 30% |
| Bellingham, WA | $100,430 | 330 | $97,190 | 23% |
| Barnstable, MA | $99,600 | 480 | $101,270 | 31% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $99,360 | 2,340 | $92,978 | 35% |
| Sacramento, CA | $99,360 | 1,570 | $93,147 | 27% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $98,880 | 1,860 | $98,029 | 20% |
| Yakima, WA | $98,760 | 470 | $103,365 | 17% |
| Kingston, NY | $98,660 | 360 | $97,965 | 25% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $98,370 | 12,780 | $86,619 | 36% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $98,020 | 380 | $90,941 | 33% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $97,900 | 2,390 | $89,470 | 28% |
| Spokane, WA | $97,850 | 920 | $97,513 | 19% |
| New York, NY | $96,500 | 39,310 | $85,730 | 44% |
| Hartford, CT | $96,030 | 2,490 | $93,463 | 25% |
| Napa, CA | $95,590 | 130 | $84,928 | 36% |
| Longview, WA | $94,190 | 150 | $96,561 | 18% |
| Boston, MA | $94,170 | 11,530 | $86,980 | 38% |
| Vallejo, CA | $93,680 | 270 | $86,358 | 32% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $93,480 | – | $92,659 | 23% |
| Hanford, CA | $92,040 | 120 | $90,580 | 25% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $90,870 | 310 | $83,677 | 37% |
| Buffalo, NY | $89,950 | 2,870 | $93,850 | 19% |
| Portland, OR | $89,590 | 3,540 | $84,983 | 24% |
| Providence, RI | $89,450 | 3,810 | $87,892 | 29% |
| New Haven, CT | $89,100 | 1,080 | $85,215 | 28% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $84,800 | 4,390 | $89,573 | 21% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $82,760 | 860 | $83,717 | 30% |
| Worcester, MA | $82,380 | 1,990 | $80,353 | 31% |
| Norwich, CT | $82,160 | 630 | $81,796 | 31% |
| Stockton, CA | $82,030 | 1,110 | $78,058 | 36% |
| York, PA | $81,830 | 810 | $85,240 | 20% |
| Williamsport, PA | $81,760 | 230 | $88,533 | 16% |
| Reading, PA | $81,120 | 780 | $83,577 | 23% |
| San Francisco, CA | $81,100 | 4,310 | $70,148 | 51% |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,960 | 740 | $82,396 | 23% |
| Waterbury, CT | $80,960 | 900 | $81,140 | – |
| Albany, NY | $80,760 | 1,890 | $81,112 | 25% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $80,760 | 310 | $80,151 | 30% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $80,750 | 310 | $80,554 | – |
| Cleveland, OH | $80,580 | 6,750 | $85,794 | 21% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $80,100 | 220 | $73,623 | 49% |
| Scranton, PA | $80,030 | 1,560 | $85,542 | 20% |
| Springfield, MA | $79,920 | 1,170 | $83,197 | 29% |
| Boulder, CO | $79,830 | 850 | $75,883 | 33% |
| Visalia, CA | $79,740 | 770 | $79,880 | 26% |
| Allentown, PA | $79,620 | 1,460 | $79,645 | 28% |
| Eugene, OR | $79,580 | 800 | $78,351 | 27% |
| Ithaca, NY | $79,520 | 180 | $76,967 | 30% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $79,490 | 200 | $72,332 | 52% |
| Lewiston, ID | $79,430 | 120 | $87,133 | 22% |
| Baltimore, MD | $79,360 | 6,420 | $75,952 | 29% |
| Ogden, UT | $79,360 | 1,610 | $79,084 | 25% |
| Chico, CA | $79,300 | 230 | $78,362 | 23% |
| Utica, NY | $79,120 | 630 | $85,371 | 22% |
| Anchorage, AK | $78,940 | 590 | $74,881 | 29% |
| Bend, OR | $78,780 | 510 | $76,037 | 34% |
| Yuba City, CA | $78,760 | 170 | $75,561 | 31% |
| Salisbury, MD | $78,690 | 330 | $82,297 | 30% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $78,660 | 120 | $76,215 | 28% |
| Watertown, NY | $78,600 | 320 | $89,634 | 23% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $78,580 | 340 | $82,833 | 22% |
| Syracuse, NY | $78,500 | 2,210 | $81,991 | 25% |
| San Diego, CA | $78,460 | 2,310 | $70,124 | 45% |
| State College, PA | $78,280 | 220 | $80,900 | 30% |
| Burlington, VT | $78,240 | 580 | $77,504 | 40% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $78,130 | 13,090 | $76,184 | 29% |
| Chicago, IL | $78,000 | 17,300 | $75,293 | 33% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $77,780 | 270 | $81,782 | 27% |
| Trenton, NJ | $77,740 | 1,280 | $75,344 | 39% |
| St. George, UT | $77,550 | 460 | $79,685 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $77,350 | 14,890 | $71,039 | 37% |
| Denver, CO | $77,340 | 6,600 | $73,113 | 29% |
| Salem, OR | $77,340 | 1,010 | $74,617 | 26% |
| Rockford, IL | $76,920 | 750 | $83,469 | 20% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $76,830 | 340 | $80,966 | 26% |
| Farmington, NM | $76,820 | 280 | $87,587 | 22% |
| Provo, UT | $76,730 | 820 | $78,111 | 28% |
| Vineland, NJ | $76,690 | 450 | $79,912 | 26% |
| Traverse City, MI | $76,580 | 200 | $82,016 | 29% |
| Akron, OH | $76,460 | 1,040 | $81,889 | 20% |
| Brunswick, GA | $76,400 | 340 | $87,107 | 26% |
| Logan, UT | $76,340 | 380 | $79,581 | 23% |
| Binghamton, NY | $76,290 | 700 | $82,153 | 25% |
| Rochester, NY | $76,160 | 2,320 | $78,487 | 24% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $76,140 | 1,190 | $77,182 | 23% |
| Canton, OH | $76,000 | 900 | $85,005 | 18% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $75,840 | 310 | $80,134 | 21% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $75,640 | 1,890 | $79,166 | 24% |
| Springfield, IL | $75,570 | 540 | $81,481 | 19% |
| Atlanta, GA | $75,490 | 13,650 | $75,446 | 29% |
| Springfield, OH | $75,230 | 390 | $83,144 | 19% |
| Toledo, OH | $75,130 | 1,370 | $82,150 | 20% |
| Corvallis, OR | $75,100 | 140 | $72,200 | 29% |
| Altoona, PA | $74,730 | 190 | $83,491 | 16% |
| Dayton, OH | $74,420 | 2,280 | $80,286 | 21% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $73,750 | 320 | $84,159 | 20% |
| Mansfield, OH | $73,710 | 400 | $82,940 | 15% |
| Lima, OH | $73,060 | 320 | $81,477 | 20% |
| Manchester, NH | $72,880 | 910 | $68,978 | 36% |
| Youngstown, OH | $72,850 | 1,060 | $83,358 | 17% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $72,170 | 400 | $80,000 | 24% |
| Muskegon, MI | $71,790 | 240 | $77,595 | 22% |
| Honolulu, HI | $71,000 | 1,790 | $63,986 | 51% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $69,460 | 270 | $73,239 | 22% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $68,930 | 670 | $68,161 | 34% |
| Portland, ME | $67,630 | 1,470 | $66,396 | 41% |
| Dalton, GA | $67,380 | 340 | $74,997 | 25% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $67,180 | 4,480 | $70,441 | 27% |
| Kahului, HI | $67,010 | 250 | $61,256 | 57% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $66,300 | 2,570 | $66,158 | 31% |
| Niles, MI | $65,850 | 290 | $71,289 | 26% |
| Houston, TX | $65,830 | 19,340 | $66,745 | 30% |
| Dallas, TX | $65,660 | 21,590 | $63,692 | 30% |
| Jackson, MI | $65,580 | 310 | $71,454 | 22% |
| Grand Island, NE | $65,480 | 180 | $75,562 | 25% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $65,300 | 3,790 | $66,673 | 35% |
| Athens, GA | $65,210 | 320 | $69,861 | 33% |
| Bozeman, MT | $65,160 | 200 | $63,565 | 41% |
| Lexington, KY | $65,150 | 1,130 | $70,137 | 29% |
| Detroit, MI | $65,140 | 6,900 | $64,946 | 28% |
| Helena, MT | $64,760 | 170 | $67,687 | 31% |
| Monroe, MI | $64,670 | 280 | $69,172 | 24% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $64,660 | 320 | $69,680 | 21% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $64,600 | 370 | $65,907 | 37% |
| Staunton, VA | $64,560 | 310 | $70,845 | 27% |
| Saginaw, MI | $64,550 | 210 | $71,019 | 20% |
| El Paso, TX | $64,480 | 2,270 | $71,715 | 28% |
| Columbus, OH | $64,410 | 6,640 | $67,467 | 28% |
| Rochester, MN | $64,390 | 150 | $70,898 | 30% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $64,360 | 3,310 | $66,394 | 29% |
| Midland, TX | $64,300 | 1,170 | $67,131 | 29% |
| Hinesville, GA | $64,170 | 250 | $68,315 | 33% |
| Billings, MT | $64,130 | 280 | $68,569 | 26% |
| Albany, OR | $63,910 | 280 | $62,595 | 31% |
| Casper, WY | $63,830 | 140 | $68,028 | 27% |
| Reno, NV | $63,770 | 950 | $63,130 | 39% |
| Omaha, NE | $63,750 | 1,930 | $69,361 | 26% |
| Boise, ID | $63,620 | 640 | $64,660 | 36% |
| Green Bay, WI | $63,620 | 1,320 | $68,345 | 21% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $63,420 | 730 | $67,346 | 31% |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,410 | 1,830 | $68,500 | 33% |
| Odessa, TX | $63,390 | 450 | $67,511 | 30% |
| Shreveport, LA | $63,390 | 310 | $74,782 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $63,380 | 980 | $61,884 | 40% |
| Flint, MI | $63,360 | 430 | $68,104 | 20% |
| Madison, WI | $63,320 | 1,200 | $65,086 | 34% |
| Killeen, TX | $63,250 | 1,290 | $69,405 | 25% |
| Ames, IA | $63,200 | 250 | $71,147 | 22% |
| Elkhart, IN | $63,190 | 490 | $69,958 | 22% |
| Bloomington, IL | $63,110 | 370 | $67,471 | 25% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $63,100 | 210 | $69,692 | 22% |
| Lewiston, ME | $63,090 | 100 | $66,596 | 30% |
| Owensboro, KY | $63,070 | 250 | $71,177 | 24% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,040 | 780 | $70,861 | 23% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,030 | 1,060 | $68,912 | 29% |
| Johnson City, TN | $63,010 | 370 | $71,661 | 28% |
| Savannah, GA | $62,970 | 800 | $66,141 | 34% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,800 | 510 | $63,341 | 39% |
| Davenport, IA | $62,800 | 790 | $70,499 | 19% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $62,800 | 6,660 | $59,911 | 33% |
| Minot, ND | $62,750 | 170 | $72,103 | 24% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $62,700 | 260 | $67,630 | 32% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $62,630 | 2,620 | $62,955 | 32% |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,580 | 3,770 | $68,286 | 27% |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,570 | 4,010 | $67,612 | 29% |
| McAllen, TX | $62,560 | 2,730 | $72,833 | 21% |
| Charleston, SC | $62,530 | 810 | $61,934 | 39% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $62,520 | 520 | $61,975 | 37% |
| Lansing, MI | $62,520 | 640 | $65,817 | 25% |
| Paducah, KY | $62,470 | 220 | $72,569 | 22% |
| Duluth, MN | $62,420 | 330 | $70,318 | 26% |
| Laredo, TX | $62,340 | 810 | $71,691 | 22% |
| Erie, PA | $62,330 | 600 | $68,532 | 22% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $62,270 | 1,060 | $68,390 | 28% |
| La Crosse, WI | $62,210 | 440 | $67,790 | 26% |
| Pueblo, CO | $62,190 | 350 | $67,773 | 25% |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,180 | 5,650 | $65,392 | 28% |
| Albany, GA | $62,160 | 380 | $70,903 | 21% |
| Huntsville, AL | $62,140 | 760 | $66,766 | 27% |
| Bangor, ME | $62,090 | 210 | $64,337 | 29% |
| Mobile, AL | $62,060 | 810 | $70,444 | 25% |
| San Antonio, TX | $62,050 | 6,700 | $65,512 | 27% |
| Missoula, MT | $62,030 | 180 | $64,316 | 31% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $62,020 | 1,180 | $67,890 | 30% |
| Brownsville, TX | $62,000 | 1,220 | $72,114 | 29% |
| Montgomery, AL | $61,980 | 550 | $69,111 | 27% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $61,970 | 660 | $66,942 | 25% |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,960 | 1,010 | $67,656 | 25% |
| Decatur, AL | $61,950 | 360 | $71,034 | 21% |
| Mankato, MN | $61,850 | 140 | $68,001 | 24% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $61,810 | 250 | $65,746 | 26% |
| Cleveland, TN | $61,760 | 240 | $70,118 | 27% |
| Rome, GA | $61,700 | 230 | $68,433 | 25% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $61,660 | 2,610 | $64,534 | 31% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,610 | 2,350 | $66,195 | 26% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,600 | 310 | $68,309 | 24% |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,530 | 640 | $65,725 | 27% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,430 | 4,160 | $64,193 | 30% |
| Austin, TX | $61,380 | 5,730 | $62,591 | 31% |
| Iowa City, IA | $61,380 | 410 | $67,075 | 34% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $61,370 | 1,150 | $66,224 | 28% |
| Janesville, WI | $61,350 | 490 | $65,473 | 25% |
| Richmond, VA | $61,350 | 2,760 | $62,693 | 33% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,330 | 6,550 | $59,362 | 34% |
| Wichita, KS | $61,300 | 1,580 | $68,918 | 24% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $61,250 | 310 | $68,426 | 26% |
| Lawton, OK | $61,240 | 270 | $71,258 | 22% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $61,220 | 240 | $67,593 | 25% |
| Peoria, IL | $61,220 | 920 | $67,104 | 23% |
| Medford, OR | $61,210 | 260 | $60,345 | 36% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $61,150 | 210 | $70,561 | 22% |
| Dover, DE | $61,100 | 520 | $62,662 | 35% |
| Fargo, ND | $61,090 | 450 | $67,227 | 22% |
| Nashville, TN | $61,090 | 4,010 | $63,412 | 35% |
| Little Rock, AR | $61,030 | 1,830 | $68,294 | 24% |
| Des Moines, IA | $60,980 | 1,150 | $66,499 | 25% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $60,980 | 380 | $65,620 | 25% |
| Kokomo, IN | $60,960 | 160 | $67,999 | 22% |
| Racine, WI | $60,950 | 400 | $63,515 | 29% |
| Sherman, TX | $60,920 | 350 | $64,967 | 27% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $60,880 | 130 | $71,014 | 24% |
| Auburn, AL | $60,850 | – | $69,200 | 31% |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,830 | 920 | $65,693 | 31% |
| Tyler, TX | $60,800 | 680 | $65,975 | 26% |
| Beaumont, TX | $60,780 | 800 | $67,499 | 26% |
| Lafayette, IN | $60,700 | 310 | $64,968 | 29% |
| Bismarck, ND | $60,680 | 90 | $66,664 | 26% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $60,680 | 1,740 | $60,254 | 35% |
| Kingsport, TN | $60,600 | 590 | $70,101 | 26% |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,560 | 310 | $59,890 | – |
| Cheyenne, WY | $60,550 | 220 | $62,752 | 30% |
| Gainesville, GA | $60,500 | 600 | $62,522 | 34% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $60,480 | 390 | $68,945 | 33% |
| Daphne, AL | $60,460 | 370 | $63,850 | 34% |
| Waterloo, IA | $60,460 | 400 | $69,449 | 20% |
| Greeley, CO | $60,430 | 790 | $60,324 | 33% |
| Naples, FL | $60,410 | 530 | $58,537 | 52% |
| Columbus, GA | $60,380 | 550 | $67,618 | 27% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $60,370 | 1,150 | $58,984 | 36% |
| Wheeling, WV | $60,360 | 440 | $68,340 | 17% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,310 | 370 | $67,489 | 26% |
| Crestview, FL | $60,290 | 460 | $62,135 | 39% |
| Florence, SC | $60,250 | 420 | $69,433 | 30% |
| Longview, TX | $60,240 | 940 | $67,319 | 23% |
| Lubbock, TX | $60,210 | 1,030 | $65,935 | 27% |
| Morristown, TN | $60,180 | 390 | $69,682 | 31% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $60,120 | 190 | $65,602 | 23% |
| Orlando, FL | $60,120 | 5,120 | $59,279 | 39% |
| Macon, GA | $60,090 | 350 | $67,877 | 24% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,080 | 240 | $63,636 | 29% |
| Augusta, GA | $60,060 | 1,590 | $65,352 | 29% |
| Slidell, LA | $60,050 | 150 | $64,761 | – |
| Rapid City, SD | $60,020 | 330 | $67,317 | 29% |
| Valdosta, GA | $60,020 | 300 | $67,995 | 27% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $59,950 | 670 | $59,947 | 38% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $59,900 | 1,340 | $65,984 | 27% |
| Kankakee, IL | $59,800 | 280 | $62,037 | 27% |
| Decatur, IL | $59,690 | 180 | $67,506 | 21% |
| Muncie, IN | $59,690 | 170 | $67,716 | 21% |
| Michigan City, IN | $59,640 | 170 | $65,051 | 24% |
| Champaign, IL | $59,630 | 550 | $64,323 | 28% |
| Clarksville, TN | $59,520 | 660 | $65,445 | 27% |
| Topeka, KS | $59,520 | 520 | $67,012 | 25% |
| Abilene, TX | $59,510 | 430 | $65,856 | 40% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $59,430 | 280 | $69,204 | 25% |
| Columbia, SC | $59,400 | 2,450 | $63,420 | 31% |
| Lawrence, KS | $59,400 | 230 | $65,822 | 32% |
| Waco, TX | $59,340 | 830 | $64,117 | 29% |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,290 | 110 | $61,222 | 29% |
| Weirton, WV | $59,220 | 330 | $66,521 | 16% |
| Wausau, WI | $59,130 | 300 | $63,820 | 19% |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,110 | 6,270 | $60,720 | 35% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $59,000 | 250 | $67,200 | 20% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $58,960 | 530 | $68,648 | 22% |
| Tampa, FL | $58,940 | 3,120 | $58,420 | 41% |
| Amarillo, TX | $58,870 | 740 | $64,115 | 27% |
| Houma, LA | $58,760 | 320 | $69,046 | 27% |
| Dothan, AL | $58,750 | 210 | $70,080 | 25% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $58,660 | 860 | $58,527 | 47% |
| Evansville, IN | $58,560 | 510 | $63,980 | 23% |
| Victoria, TX | $58,420 | 230 | $65,027 | 24% |
| Memphis, TN | $58,380 | 1,750 | $63,333 | 29% |
| Greenville, SC | $58,360 | 1,840 | $62,578 | 32% |
| Appleton, WI | $58,340 | 510 | $63,126 | 25% |
| Miami, FL | $58,070 | 9,060 | $50,869 | 55% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $58,020 | 110 | $57,832 | 44% |
| Sioux City, IA | $57,900 | 290 | $66,972 | 27% |
| College Station, TX | $57,550 | 770 | $63,276 | 31% |
| Asheville, NC | $57,510 | 1,020 | $59,592 | 36% |
| Tucson, AZ | $57,460 | 1,040 | $59,301 | 31% |
| Sumter, SC | $57,430 | 190 | $65,247 | 31% |
| Huntington, WV | $57,390 | 950 | $64,905 | 23% |
| Raleigh, NC | $57,330 | 1,230 | $58,406 | 35% |
| South Bend, IN | $57,080 | 490 | $61,470 | 26% |
| Charleston, WV | $56,970 | 480 | $64,215 | 25% |
| Greensboro, NC | $56,800 | 2,380 | $61,164 | 30% |
| Morgantown, WV | $56,740 | 270 | $60,800 | 29% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $56,090 | 100 | $65,162 | 22% |
| Jackson, TN | $55,860 | 430 | $65,317 | 30% |
| Beckley, WV | $55,640 | 290 | $62,963 | 22% |
| Manhattan, KS | $54,980 | 240 | $60,979 | 28% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $54,720 | – | $59,450 | 34% |
| Greenville, NC | $54,590 | 320 | $61,752 | 32% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $53,930 | 550 | $57,422 | 33% |
| Wilmington, NC | $52,310 | 680 | $54,251 | 40% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $52,220 | 450 | $60,826 | 31% |
| Hickory, NC | $51,970 | 850 | $58,732 | 37% |
| Panama City, FL | $51,860 | 350 | $53,301 | 40% |
| San Angelo, TX | $51,750 | 260 | $55,974 | 31% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $51,740 | 350 | $54,192 | 40% |
| Durham, NC | $51,340 | 1,210 | $52,618 | 38% |
| Texarkana, TX | $51,230 | 380 | $60,979 | 29% |
| Jackson, MS | $50,820 | 1,310 | $57,070 | 35% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $50,600 | 260 | $58,577 | 24% |
| Lakeland, FL | $50,360 | 1,420 | $51,842 | 43% |
| Pensacola, FL | $50,340 | 940 | $51,516 | 41% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $50,290 | 250 | $57,387 | 31% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $50,280 | 720 | $55,478 | 30% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $50,180 | 120 | $56,228 | 31% |
| Gulfport, MS | $50,160 | 740 | $55,730 | 34% |
| Gainesville, FL | $50,040 | 380 | $51,730 | 39% |
| Monroe, LA | $49,660 | 120 | $59,404 | 29% |
| Sebastian, FL | $49,400 | 200 | $50,250 | 52% |
| Joplin, MO | $49,110 | 430 | $57,293 | 30% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,080 | 560 | $53,361 | 36% |
| Springfield, MO | $48,990 | 1,350 | $55,303 | 31% |
| Tulsa, OK | $48,850 | 1,670 | $54,756 | 34% |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,770 | 200 | $52,607 | 35% |
| Columbia, MO | $48,590 | 300 | $54,328 | 36% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $48,440 | 2,480 | $53,579 | 34% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,960 | 210 | $54,515 | 25% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,830 | 360 | $54,345 | 32% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $47,590 | 260 | $48,435 | 47% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $47,560 | 300 | $53,763 | 38% |
| Hammond, LA | $47,480 | 270 | $56,216 | 33% |
| Alexandria, LA | $47,280 | 200 | $55,178 | 26% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $47,230 | 160 | $50,192 | 39% |
| Enid, OK | $46,460 | 130 | $55,133 | 29% |
What the median middle school teacher salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $64,370 |
| Month | $5,364 |
| Every two weeks | $2,476 |
| Week | $1,238 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a middle 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 | −0.4% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 38,800 |
| Self-employed | 0.3% |
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 |
| Kindergarten teacher | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| High school teacher | $72,040 | 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 middle school teacher pay
How much does a middle school teacher make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for middle school teachers, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $64,370 a year.
How much does a middle school teacher make a month?
About $5,364 a month before taxes at the median salary of $64,370, or $2,476 every two weeks.
What state pays middle school teachers the most?
Washington, with a median of $102,140. California ($98,950), New York ($94,840), Connecticut ($93,610) and Rhode Island ($92,760) follow.
Where do middle school teachers make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $102,140 is worth $95,446 at typical US prices. Rhode Island, Connecticut and California come next.
How much do entry-level middle school teachers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of middle school teachers earn under $48,080 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $58,530, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a middle 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 25-2022 (Middle 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.