How Much Does a History Teacher Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$83,820
History teachers in the U.S. earn a median of $83,820 a year. Half of history teachers earn more than $83,820 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $162,160.
Pay percentiles for history teachers
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,410 |
| 25th | $63,920 |
| 50th (median) | $83,820 |
| 75th | $112,090 |
| 90th | $162,160 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: History Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1125). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for history 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 history teachers
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,170 | +52% |
| New Hampshire | $106,880 | +28% |
| Massachusetts | $104,900 | +25% |
| Oregon | $104,330 | +24% |
| Connecticut | $101,950 | +22% |
| New York | $100,400 | +20% |
| New Jersey | $99,900 | +19% |
| Maine | $99,610 | +19% |
| Michigan | $99,440 | +19% |
| Pennsylvania | $98,850 | +18% |
| United States | $83,820 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many history teachers are there?
BLS counts about 18,790 history teachers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “History Teachers, Postsecondary”. The most jobs are in Texas (2,030), New York (1,660) and California (1,450).
The mean (average) annual wage is $96,580, higher than the median of $83,820.
Frequently asked questions
How much do history teachers make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for history teachers, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $83,820.
Which state pays history teachers the most?
California has the highest median wage for history teachers at $127,170, +52% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for history teachers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of history teachers earn less than $48,410 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.