Career comparison
Elementary school teacher vs. High school teacher
High school teachers earn more: a median of $72,040, $8,070 (13%) above elementary school teachers at $63,970.
Both are projected to grow at a similar pace through 2035 (0% and 0%).
At a glance
| Elementary school teacher | High school teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,970 | $72,040 |
| Top 10% earn over | $104,340 | $107,600 |
| Growth to 2035 | 0% | 0% |
| Openings per year | 87,500 | 63,500 |
| Jobs today | 1,419,300 | 1,087,500 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Time to qualify* | 12 months | 12 months |
| Training cost* | $5K–$25K | $5K–$25K |
* Starting from a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Pay
Elementary school teacher
High school teacher
Switching from one to the other
Set your education and current pay. The calculator lays out the path, what it costs, and the year it starts paying off.
Elementary school teacherHigh school teacher
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Getting in
Elementary school teacher
- Entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: Praxis or state teaching exams · State teaching license
High school teacher
- 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
Elementary school teacher: 97% usually work over 40 hours a weekHigh school teacher: 56% usually work over 40 hours a week
Elementary school teacher: core tasks
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
High school teacher: 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.
Skills: what carries over
Both rely on: Learning Strategies, Instructing, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring.
New for an elementary school teacher moving to high school teacher: Active Learning.
New for a high school teacher moving to elementary school teacher: Writing.
Interests (Holland codes): Elementary school teacher: Social, Artistic, Conventional. High school teacher: Social, Artistic, Conventional.
Outlook to 2035, and AI
Elementary school teacher
0%
little or no change · 87,500 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
High school teacher
0%
little or no change · 63,500 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Quoted notes: BLS Employment Projections, factors affecting occupational utilization (Table 1.12). Average growth across all jobs: +3.5%.
Questions people ask
Who makes more, an elementary school teacher or a high school teacher?
High school teachers earn more: a median of $72,040, $8,070 (13%) above elementary school teachers at $63,970.
Which has the better job outlook?
Both are projected to grow at a similar pace through 2035 (0% and 0%).
How long does it take to become a high school teacher?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 12 months, with tuition of roughly $5,000 to $25,000. Required: Praxis subject exam, State teaching license.
How long does it take to become an elementary school teacher?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 12 months, with tuition of roughly $5,000 to $25,000. Required: Praxis or state teaching exams, State teaching license.