The BLS reports the median annual salary for high school teachers was $58,030 in 2016. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made approximately $92,920, while the bottom 10 percent made $38,180. Compensation is typically based on your years of experience and educational level. Salaries and benefit packages can also differ at public and private institutions.
The high school teaching field is growing in both salary and job volume. The salary for a high school teacher has increased since 2010. The BLS projects the high school teaching field will grow nearly 8 percent by 2026, with 76,800 jobs added by that time. Preschool, primary, secondary and special education school teacher occupations, in general, are also projected to grow by about 8 percent.
The highest paid in the high school teacher profession work in the metropolitan areas of Nassau County, New York, Anchorage, Alaska, and Fairbanks, Alaska. The Kingston, New York area also pays well, as does the city of New York City.
| Nassau County, New York | $99,090 |
| Anchorage, Alaska | $89,960 |
| Fairbanks, Alaska | $88,630 |
| Kingston, New York | $85,650 |
| New York City | $85,070 |
The states and districts that pay high school teachers the highest mean salary are Alaska ($82,020), New York ($81,410), Connecticut ($76,260), New Jersey ($75,250), and California ($74,940).
| Alaska | $82,020 |
| New York | $81,410 |
| Connecticut | $76,260 |
| New Jersey | $75,250 |
| California | $74,940 |
In addition to region and education, factors such as specialty, industry and employer have an effect on a high school teacher’s salary. The top-paying places of employment with the highest average annual salaries for this career are state government ($65,050); technical and trade schools ($62,970), secondary schools ($61,450); psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals ($60,120); and colleges, universities and professional schools ($56,720). Most teachers work 10-month school years and break for two months during the summer. Some teachers teach summer school.
Q: How much do high school teachers earn in California?
A: In 2016, high school teachers made an average salary of $74,940 in California.
Q: What is the salary for a high school teacher in New York?
A: High school teachers earned an average salary of $81,410 in New York state and $85,070 in the New York City metropolitan area in 2016.
Taking home $61,420 on average, high school teachers make salaries comparable to those of elementary school teachers ($59,020), middle school teachers ($59,800) and school counselors ($57,620). Salaries vary a little more for other professionals who work within a school system. For example, a high school teacher makes more than a sports coach ($41,000), although many who choose to be coaches also work as teachers.
Elementary School Teacher – Average Salary $59,020
An elementary school teacher teaches young children basic subjects, including reading, math, science and history.
Middle School Teacher – Average Salary $59,800
A middle school teacher helps students usually enrolled in sixth through eighth grades maintain knowledge learned in elementary school and prepares them for the high school curriculum.
School Counselor – Average Salary $57,620
A school counselor assists students with academics and social or interpersonal issues.
Child and Family Social Worker – Average Salary $47,510
A child and family social worker works with children and families for the well-being of both. These social workers help with academic functioning, adoptions and foster home arrangement.
Median Salary $54,560
Median Salary $56,720
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