Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

SOC code 25-2031 · O*NET-SOC 25-2031.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Education and library

High school teachers need a bachelor's degree in their subject plus a state licence. Shortage subjects — maths, science, special education — often come with hiring incentives and faster certification routes.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$72,040

a year

Hourly

—

per hour

10th$48,780Median$72,04090th$107,600

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$76,320

— per hour

Middle 50%

$59,980 – $92,570

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$48,780 – $107,600

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

1,065,210

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $48,780; —/hr
25th percentile: $59,980; —/hr
Median percentile: $72,040; —/hr
75th percentile: $92,570; —/hr
90th percentile: $107,600; —/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

-2%

Declining

1,094,500

jobs in 2024

1,076,700

projected for 2034

About 17,800 fewer jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education do?

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 77% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

See all zone 4 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Bachelor's Degree77%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate8%
Post-Master's Certificate8%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%

Common questions

How much does a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education earn?

The national median is $72,040 a year. The full range runs from $48,780 at the 10th percentile to $107,600 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 2% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Learning Strategies4.0/5
Critical Thinking3.9/5
Monitoring3.9/5
Active Learning3.8/5

Knowledge areas

Education and Training4.7/5
English Language4.3/5
Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
Computers and Electronics3.6/5
Psychology3.4/5
Sociology and Anthropology3.2/5
History and Archeology3.0/5
Communications and Media3.0/5

Transferable strengths: Instructing, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.