How to become Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educationeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$64,370

25th–75th pct. $58,530–$80,490

Top pay (est.)

$133,300

Top 10% $102,540

Pay in 5 years

$74,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$85,000est.

$73,100–$98,700

Outlook score

40/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

45%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

−0.4%

39K openings / yr

How to become Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Key skills

Speaking

4.0

Social Perceptiveness

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

Active Learning

4.0

Instructing

4.0

Learning Strategies

4.0

Active Listening

3.9

Writing

3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training

5.3

English Language

5.2

Philosophy and Theology

4.7

Geography

4.4

Mathematics

4.2

Customer and Personal Service

4.0

Computers and Electronics

4.0

History and Archeology

3.8

What the work involves

Thinking CreativelyOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionSpeech ClarityOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

67%

Post-bachelor's certificate

21%

Less than high school

10%

Master's degree

Training before entry

None / short demo

42%

Up to 1 month

36%

6–12 months

13%

3–6 months

1–2 years

Related work experience

2–4 years

22%

6–12 months

21%

None

19%

3–6 months

15%

1–2 years

14%

Up to 1 month

4–6 years

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.	$63,970	46/100	28%
2	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	$72,040	45/100	36%
3	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.	$41,670	49/100	39%
4	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.	$38,140	62/100	16%
5	Self-Enrichment Teachers Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.	$46,800	61/100	22%
6	Instructional Coordinators Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses.	$77,440	57/100	50%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.