History Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do History Teachers Make?
History Teachers earn a median annual salary of $81,500 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,730 at the 10th percentile to $158,140 at the 90th percentile — a range of $110,410. The highest-paying state is California at $121,020.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,730 |
| 25th percentile | $62,370 |
| Median (50th) | $81,500 |
| 75th percentile | $106,770 |
| 90th percentile | $158,140 |
History Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $121,020 |
| New Hampshire | $106,810 |
| Rhode Island | $106,240 |
| Arizona | $101,510 |
| New York | $101,180 |
| Massachusetts | $100,780 |
| New Jersey | $100,320 |
| Connecticut | $100,220 |
| Oregon | $97,680 |
| Montana | $92,550 |
| Maryland | $87,520 |
| Michigan | $86,230 |
| Maine | $85,950 |
| Illinois | $84,620 |
| Virginia | $82,930 |
| Wisconsin | $82,300 |
| Minnesota | $82,200 |
| Texas | $82,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,640 |
| New Mexico | $80,940 |
| Missouri | $80,430 |
| Vermont | $80,080 |
| Ohio | $79,870 |
| Indiana | $79,860 |
| Washington | $79,470 |
| Kansas | $79,380 |
| District of Columbia | $78,880 |
| Nebraska | $78,820 |
| Nevada | $78,620 |
| Utah | $78,110 |
| Colorado | $77,910 |
| Georgia | $77,500 |
| Iowa | $77,460 |
| South Carolina | $77,150 |
| North Carolina | $76,870 |
| Kentucky | $73,320 |
| Louisiana | $72,950 |
| Wyoming | $72,120 |
| Tennessee | $66,770 |
| Idaho | $66,240 |
| Oklahoma | $65,600 |
| South Dakota | $65,370 |
| Alaska | $65,060 |
| West Virginia | $64,710 |
| Mississippi | $64,660 |
| Alabama | $61,000 |
| Hawaii | $50,150 |
| Florida | $49,250 |
| Arkansas | $47,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for History Teachers
History Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,730 – $62,370 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$81,500 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$106,770 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $158,140+ |
How to Earn More as a History Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: History Teachers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA earn $162,950 — $81,450 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($106,770) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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History Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| History Teacherthis career | $81,500 |
| Historian | $74,050 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teacher | $95,770 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher | $84,290 |
| Economics Teacher | $119,980 |
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SOC: 25-1125.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.