How Much Does a High School Teacher Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$72,040
High school teachers in the U.S. earn a median of $72,040 a year. Half of high school teachers earn more than $72,040 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $107,600.
Pay percentiles for high school teachers
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,780 |
| 25th | $59,980 |
| 50th (median) | $72,040 |
| 75th | $92,570 |
| 90th | $107,600 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (SOC 25-2031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for high school teachers, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for high school teachers
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 | +43% |
| California | $101,370 | +41% |
| New York | $97,070 | +35% |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 | +32% |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 | +29% |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 | +15% |
| New Jersey | $82,200 | +14% |
| Connecticut | $80,970 | +12% |
| Illinois | $79,990 | +11% |
| Alaska | $79,650 | +11% |
| United States | $72,040 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many high school teachers are there?
BLS counts about 1,065,210 high school teachers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education”. The most jobs are in Texas (111,660), California (99,230) and New York (70,660).
The mean (average) annual wage is $76,320, higher than the median of $72,040.
Frequently asked questions
How much do high school teachers make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for high school teachers, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $72,040.
Which state pays high school teachers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for high school teachers at $102,670, +43% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for high school teachers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of high school teachers earn less than $48,780 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.