Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
High school teachers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license, which may require an academic background in the subject(s) they will be certified to teach. PayThe median annual wage for high school teachers was $72,040 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of high school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 63,500 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for high school teachers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of high school teachers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for high school teachers was $72,040 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of high school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 63,500 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for high school teachers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of high school teachers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of high school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 63,500 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for high school teachers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of high school teachers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
Work Environment
High school teachers work in schools. They work during school hours but may also work evenings and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most do not teach during the summer.
How to Become a High School Teacher
High school teachers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license, which may require an academic background in the subject(s) they will be certified to teach.
Pay
The median annual wage for high school teachers was $72,040 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of high school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 63,500 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for high school teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of high school teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
High school teachers work in schools. They work during school hours but may also work evenings and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most do not teach during the summer.
How to Become a High School Teacher
High school teachers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license, which may require an academic background in the subject(s) they will be certified to teach.
Pay
The median annual wage for high school teachers was $72,040 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of high school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 63,500 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for high school teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of high school teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for high school teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of high school teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about high school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.