Education and libraries
High school teacher
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Median pay
$72,040
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
63,500
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
High school teacher
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
- Required
- Praxis subject exam · State teaching license
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
High school teacher: 56% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Art Teacher · English Teacher · Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher) · Music Teacher · PE Teacher (Physical Education Teacher) · Science Teacher · Secondary Teacher · Social Studies Teacher
Outlook and AI
High school teachers held 1,087,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 1,085,000 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- High school teacher vs. Elementary school teacher
- High school teacher vs. Software engineer
- High school teacher vs. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
- High school teacher vs. Tutor
- High school teacher vs. Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
- High school teacher vs. Special education teachers, secondary school
- High school teacher vs. Special education teachers, middle school
- High school teacher vs. Career/technical education teachers, middle school
- High school teacher vs. Career/technical education teachers, secondary school