Secondary School Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Secondary School Teachers Make?
Secondary School Teachers earn a median annual salary of $64,580 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,330 at the 10th percentile to $104,670 at the 90th percentile — a range of $57,340. The highest-paying state is Washington at $99,640.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,330 |
| 25th percentile | $57,800 |
| Median (50th) | $64,580 |
| 75th percentile | $83,010 |
| 90th percentile | $104,670 |
Secondary School Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $99,640 |
| California | $98,710 |
| New York | $98,370 |
| Rhode Island | $89,040 |
| Massachusetts | $88,990 |
| New Jersey | $80,440 |
| Oregon | $79,600 |
| District of Columbia | $78,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,990 |
| Alaska | $77,730 |
| Connecticut | $77,270 |
| Maryland | $77,030 |
| Illinois | $77,020 |
| Ohio | $76,740 |
| Delaware | $75,420 |
| Utah | $74,280 |
| Georgia | $73,340 |
| New Hampshire | $69,340 |
| New Mexico | $66,960 |
| Michigan | $64,000 |
| Minnesota | $63,950 |
| Virginia | $63,760 |
| Vermont | $63,740 |
| Colorado | $63,660 |
| Wyoming | $63,390 |
| Nevada | $62,870 |
| Maine | $62,230 |
| Texas | $61,980 |
| Nebraska | $61,900 |
| Hawaii | $61,830 |
| Wisconsin | $61,620 |
| South Carolina | $61,300 |
| Idaho | $60,960 |
| Alabama | $60,530 |
| Indiana | $60,430 |
| Kentucky | $60,420 |
| Tennessee | $60,330 |
| Arizona | $59,900 |
| Florida | $59,400 |
| North Dakota | $59,380 |
| Louisiana | $59,340 |
| Iowa | $58,910 |
| Kansas | $58,770 |
| Montana | $58,730 |
| Arkansas | $56,890 |
| West Virginia | $56,480 |
| North Carolina | $54,890 |
| Missouri | $50,780 |
| South Dakota | $49,530 |
| Mississippi | $49,340 |
| Oklahoma | $49,170 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Secondary School Teachers
Secondary 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) | ~$47,330 – $57,800 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$64,580 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$83,010 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $104,670+ |
How to Earn More as a Secondary School Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Secondary School Teachers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA earn $106,970 — $42,390 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 ($83,010) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Secondary School Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacherthis career | $64,580 |
| Education Teacher | $72,090 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teacher | $80,190 |
| English Language and Literature Teacher | $78,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $61,430 |
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SOC: 25-2031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.