Middle School Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Middle School Teachers Make?
Middle School Teachers earn a median annual salary of $62,970 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,050 at the 10th percentile to $100,980 at the 90th percentile — a range of $53,930. The highest-paying state is Washington at $99,150.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,050 |
| 25th percentile | $53,540 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 |
| 75th percentile | $79,380 |
| 90th percentile | $100,980 |
Middle School Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $99,150 |
| California | $96,820 |
| Rhode Island | $89,530 |
| Massachusetts | $84,280 |
| New York | $82,620 |
| Connecticut | $81,040 |
| District of Columbia | $78,090 |
| Oregon | $78,050 |
| New Jersey | $77,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,740 |
| Maryland | $76,420 |
| Alaska | $75,980 |
| Utah | $75,490 |
| New Mexico | $73,520 |
| Ohio | $66,790 |
| New Hampshire | $64,810 |
| Illinois | $64,800 |
| Hawaii | $64,340 |
| Georgia | $63,880 |
| Delaware | $63,770 |
| Nevada | $63,620 |
| Nebraska | $62,470 |
| Vermont | $62,460 |
| Wyoming | $62,420 |
| Wisconsin | $61,960 |
| Colorado | $61,830 |
| Texas | $61,760 |
| Minnesota | $61,670 |
| Michigan | $61,560 |
| Montana | $61,460 |
| Maine | $61,030 |
| Virginia | $60,930 |
| Idaho | $60,290 |
| Missouri | $60,120 |
| Alabama | $59,900 |
| South Carolina | $59,810 |
| Indiana | $59,100 |
| Arizona | $59,060 |
| Kentucky | $58,850 |
| Kansas | $58,820 |
| North Dakota | $58,800 |
| Tennessee | $58,170 |
| Iowa | $57,750 |
| Arkansas | $56,980 |
| Louisiana | $53,150 |
| Florida | $51,680 |
| North Carolina | $50,340 |
| Mississippi | $49,720 |
| South Dakota | $49,720 |
| West Virginia | $49,670 |
| Oklahoma | $48,210 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Middle School Teachers
Middle School 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) | ~$47,050 – $53,540 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$62,970 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$79,380 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $100,980+ |
How to Earn More as a Middle School Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Middle School Teachers in Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA earn $105,610 — $42,640 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 ($79,380) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Middle School Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Middle School Teacherthis career | $62,970 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Education Teacher | $72,090 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teacher | $80,190 |
| English Language and Literature Teacher | $78,270 |
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SOC: 25-2022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.