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

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$72,040

25th–75th pct. $59,980–$92,570

Top pay (est.)

$139,900

Top 10% $107,600

Pay in 5 years

$83,100est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$95,800est.

$82,400–$111,300

Outlook score

45/100

★★☆☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

36%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

−0.2%

64K openings / yr

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

Key skills

Learning Strategies

4.2

Speaking

4.1

Monitoring

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Social Perceptiveness

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

Critical Thinking

4.0

Instructing

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training

5.3

English Language

5.0

Customer and Personal Service

4.8

Computers and Electronics

4.1

Sociology and Anthropology

4.0

History and Archeology

3.9

Psychology

3.7

Philosophy and Theology

3.6

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkTraining and Teaching OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoaching and Developing OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationThinking Creatively

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionSpeech ClarityNear VisionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten Expression

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

77%

Post-master's certificate

Post-bachelor's certificate

Associate's degree

Master's degree

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

31%

None / short demo

25%

6–12 months

15%

1–3 months

4–10 years

1–2 years

3–6 months

Related work experience

None

50%

2–4 years

10%

3–6 months

10%

6–12 months

4–6 years

6–8 years

1–2 years

1–3 months

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 Secondary 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	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.	$64,370	40/100	45%
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.