The median annual wage for high school teachers was $57,200 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,190.
High school teachers generally work school hours, which vary from school to school. However, they often spend time in the evenings and on weekends grading papers and preparing lessons. In addition, they may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. Plus, teachers who coach sports or advise clubs generally do so before or after school.
Many high school teachers work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. Although most do not teach during the summer, some may teach in summer school programs.
Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row and then have a break for 1 week. They also have a 5-week midwinter break.
Union Membership
Compared with workers in all occupations, high school teachers had a higher percentage of workers who belonged to a union in 2014.
High School Teachers
Median annual wages, May 2015
High school teachers
$57,200
Preschool, primary, secondary, and special education school teachers
$53,860
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics