What Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education this way: "Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students"; "Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies"; "Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students"; "Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress"; "Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,087,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,085,000 in 2035, a decrease of 2,500 jobs (-0.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 63,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 5.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $72,040, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn the most
Across the 30 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $57,292 in Missouri to $101,765 in California, a gap of $44,473 (1.78 times). 19 of those 30 states average above the BLS national median of $72,040 and 11 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 111,380, which is 9.1% of the 1,230,600 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 108,700.
Highest-paying states
California ($101,765), Washington ($96,375) and New York ($95,197) lead the ranking, while Missouri ($57,292) and Arizona ($57,483) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: pay against the cost of living
We compare 48 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $54,342. The smallest margin is $17,854 in Miami-Dade County, FL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 48 of the 48 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 18.8% and 50.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-2000) include Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, Special Education Teachers, Middle School, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education.
Frequently asked questions about Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
How much do Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $72,040. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $57,292 to $101,765.
Which state pays Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $101,765. Washington is next at $96,375.
Is Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 63,500 openings a year.
What education do Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $54,342 on a median wage of $98,970.