Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary by state
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is a professional role within the function in the Educational Instruction and Library job family.
What Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educations do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
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.
Top skills:InstructingSpeakingReading ComprehensionLearning StrategiesActive ListeningSocial Perceptiveness
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay by experience level
Entry level$50,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$62,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$74,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$96,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$111,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-1.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
66,200
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary by industry
Educational Services
1,060,270 workers
$79,000
Elementary and Secondary Schools
1,055,050 workers
$79,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
900,040 workers
$80,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
151,920 workers
$70,500
Educational Services, State Government Owned
8,310 workers
$78,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
2,310 workers
$86,000
Educational Support Services
2,170 workers
$65,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
1,890 workers
$70,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,380 workers
$70,500
Other Schools and Instruction
1,000 workers
$59,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pays 11% below the average across 65 roles in the Educational Instruction and Library job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Educational Instruction and Library
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make?
The average base salary for a Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the United States is $79,000 per year, or about $37.98 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $62,000 and $96,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Educational Instruction and Library roles?
The Educational Instruction and Library job family averages $88,500 across 65 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
