What Does a High School Teacher Do?
High school teachers instruct students in grades 9 through 12 in specific subject areas such as English, mathematics, science, history, or electives. They prepare students for college, careers, and civic participation through rigorous academic instruction. High school teachers also serve as mentors and advisors to adolescents during a critical developmental period.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Art Teacher, English Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Music Teacher, PE Teacher (Physical Education Teacher), Science Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Social Studies Teacher.
High School Teacher Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a high school teacher include:
- Develop and deliver subject-specific lesson plans that align with state standards and prepare students for assessments.
- Teach classes in a specialized subject area using lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
- Assess student performance through exams, essays, projects, and participation, providing timely feedback.
- Maintain accurate records of grades, attendance, and student progress using school management systems.
- Adapt teaching methods and materials to accommodate diverse learning styles and ability levels.
- Prepare students for standardized tests, college entrance exams, and career readiness assessments.
- Communicate with parents, counselors, and administrators about student progress and behavioral concerns.
- Advise student clubs, coach extracurricular activities, and supervise school events.
- Participate in department meetings, curriculum development committees, and professional development workshops.
- Create a respectful, lively classroom culture that promotes critical thinking and academic integrity.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a high school teacher, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Subject matter expertise
- Lesson planning and curriculum alignment
- Classroom management for adolescents
- Assessment design and grading
- Technology integration in teaching
- Student mentoring and advising
- Communication with stakeholders
- Differentiated instruction strategies
Education and Training
High school teachers must earn a bachelor degree in their subject area or in education with a subject concentration. Most states require completion of a teacher preparation program that includes student teaching experience. All public school teachers must obtain state licensure or certification, typically requiring passing subject-area Praxis exams or equivalent state assessments. Many states encourage or require a master degree for continued certification. Alternative certification pathways exist for career changers who hold a bachelor degree in their subject area.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $59,980 - $92,570 per year, with a median of $72,040.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
Shortages are particularly acute in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), special education, and world languages. Urban and rural districts often struggle more with recruitment and retention. Teachers with dual certifications or expertise in high-demand subjects will have the best job prospects.
High School Teacher Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $48,780 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $59,980 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $72,040 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $92,570 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $107,600 |
Highest-Paying States for High School Teachers
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are Washington ($102,670), California ($101,370), New York ($97,070), Massachusetts ($95,260), Rhode Island ($92,610). Pay is lowest in South Dakota ($51,050), Mississippi ($50,980), Oklahoma ($48,710).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
| Arizona | $58,360 |
| Arkansas | $59,660 |
| California | $101,370 |
| Colorado | $72,900 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Delaware | $77,960 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| Florida | $60,410 |
| Georgia | $75,480 |
| Hawaii | $74,310 |
| Idaho | $61,690 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Indiana | $61,880 |
| Iowa | $61,200 |
| Kansas | $59,920 |
| Kentucky | $61,560 |
| Louisiana | $59,850 |
| Maine | $64,880 |
| Maryland | $78,670 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Michigan | $66,030 |
| Minnesota | $76,460 |
| Mississippi | $50,980 |
| Missouri | $59,240 |
| Montana | $60,990 |
| Nebraska | $63,450 |
| Nevada | $65,520 |
| New Hampshire | $77,060 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| New Mexico | $75,900 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| North Carolina | $57,650 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 |
| Ohio | $78,800 |
| Oklahoma | $48,710 |
| Oregon | $79,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,800 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| South Carolina | $62,580 |
| South Dakota | $51,050 |
| Tennessee | $61,860 |
| Texas | $63,590 |
| Utah | $76,330 |
| Vermont | $76,220 |
| Virginia | $72,170 |
| Washington | $102,670 |
| West Virginia | $56,610 |
| Wisconsin | $62,870 |
| Wyoming | $62,690 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 98% use email every day
- 91% speak in front of groups at least once a week
- 82% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 78% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 56% usually work more than 40 hours a week
- 50% have a lot of freedom to make decisions
- 46% deal with loud or distracting noise every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 77% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 8% |
| Post-master's certificate | 8% |
Tools and Software High School Teachers Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy helping, teaching or caring for people as well as creative work and self-expression.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Learning Strategies, Critical Thinking.
Knowledge areas used most: Education and Training, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics, Psychology.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a High School Teacher Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 25-2031.00 (Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.