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Middle school teacher: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$64,370median pay per year, May 2025[1]
  1. $48,080lowest 10% earn less
  2. $58,53025th percentile
  3. $64,370median
  4. $80,49075th percentile
  5. $102,540top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A middle school teacher, such as a science or math teacher, had a median pay of $64,370 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects a small decline in jobs over the next decade, but still expects about 38,800 openings a year[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.4%[2]
Openings per year
38,800[3]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do middle school teachers make?

In May 2025, the median pay for these teachers (BLS title: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education) was $64,370 a year[1]. That means half of the workers made more than this and half made less. The average was $72,030[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

BLS publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries and not a starting salary[8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48,080, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $58,530[4]. The 75th percentile was $80,490 and the 90th percentile was $102,540[4].

BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages. BLS explains that many teachers put in under a full 2,080-hour year yet are paid a yearly amount[9].

These figures come from OEWS, which covers wage and salary workers. It does not count nonproduction bonuses or what employers spend on benefits like health insurance or retirement[10]. About 620,090 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $48,080
25th percentile[4] $58,530
Median[1] $64,370
75th percentile[4] $80,490
90th percentile[4] $102,540

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest state median at $102,140, based on 10,510 jobs[12]. California followed at $98,950, then New York at $94,840, Connecticut at $93,610 and Rhode Island at $92,760[12].

Texas had the most jobs by a wide margin, with 80,160[13]. New York (38,670), California (37,300), Florida (31,370) and Ohio (30,450) followed[13]. Their medians were $63,390 in Texas, $58,940 in Florida and $77,090 in Ohio, plus the New York and California figures above[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA had the highest median at $106,920[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($105,030) and Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA ($104,410) came next[14].

The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, with 39,310 jobs and a median of $96,500[15]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington had 21,590 jobs and a median of $65,660[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[12]$102,14010,510
California$98,95037,300
New York$94,84038,670
Connecticut$93,6107,920
Rhode Island$92,7602,370
Massachusetts$89,45016,570
District of Columbia$79,9001,540
Utah$79,1805,960
Alaska$78,9401,150
New Jersey$78,77023,650
Maryland$78,51014,530
Oregon$78,3506,940
Pennsylvania$77,93022,720
Ohio$77,09030,450
Illinois$76,11024,770
New Mexico$75,2404,260
Vermont$73,9401,620
New Hampshire$71,1403,120
Hawaii$69,2302,480
Delaware$67,7802,350
Nevada$66,3003,910
Georgia$64,78023,610
Michigan$63,79015,420
Colorado$63,76013,280
Maine$63,5902,780
Virginia$63,52018,290
Texas$63,39080,160
Minnesota$62,6408,890
Nebraska$62,5104,150
Wyoming$62,4801,290
Wisconsin$61,96014,460
Alabama$61,77010,000
Montana$61,5501,980
Kentucky$61,1208,040
Idaho$60,9302,360
South Carolina$60,8109,750
Indiana$60,70011,700
Tennessee$60,69013,060
Kansas$60,5806,230
Iowa$60,4506,270
North Dakota$60,1001,400
Arizona$59,7109,020
Arkansas$59,5706,140
Missouri$59,31011,330
Florida$58,94031,370
Louisiana$58,7605,560
West Virginia$57,2104,090
North Carolina$52,01020,650
South Dakota$50,9802,130
Mississippi$50,7906,260
Oklahoma$48,4407,620

How to become a middle school teacher

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no work experience and no on-the-job training[6]. In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 67% said a bachelor's degree is required, 21% said a post-baccalaureate certificate and 10% said less than a high school diploma[16]. The survey is small, so treat these shares as a rough picture.

Requirements vary by state, but licensing generally involves a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA, student teaching and a background check[19][20][21][22]. It also involves a general teaching test and a test of subject knowledge[23].

Every state offers an alternative route for people who hold a bachelor's degree but never took the required education courses[24]. Some of these programs let candidates start teaching right away under an experienced teacher[24].

Teachers often need professional development classes to keep their license, and some states require a master's degree after certification and getting a job[25]. Private schools typically seek a bachelor's degree with a major either in a subject area or in elementary education[26].

What middle school teachers do

O*NET describes the job as teaching one or more subjects at the middle, intermediate or junior high level[27]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles that workers reported include Math Teacher, Science Teacher, English Teacher and Music Teacher[29].

Where they work

Local elementary and secondary schools were the largest employer group, at 85% of jobs[30]. Teachers generally work during school hours and may also talk with parents, students and fellow teachers before or after school[31]. Those who coach sports or advise clubs usually do so before or after school, and many spend evenings and weekends grading and planning lessons[31].

Many teachers follow a traditional 10-month school year with a 2-month summer break, and some teach in the summer[32]. In districts with year-round schedules, teachers usually alternate 9 weeks of work with a 3-week break[33].

The handbook says the job may be stressful. Classes may be large, and schools may lack tools such as current technology and textbooks[34]. It also says working with students as they become adolescents can be challenging[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects a decline of 0.4% between 2025 and 2035, taking employment from about 630,100 to 627,400 jobs, a loss of 2,600[2]. For all occupations combined, the projected growth is 3.5%[36]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the OEWS job count above[2].

Even so, about 38,800 openings are projected each year, on average[3]. Openings come from new jobs and also from workers who retire or move to other occupations[3]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 3.2% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a clear path. It starts with a bachelor's degree and a state license for public schools[6][19]. Median pay of $64,370 is above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][5]. Pay differs a lot by place, from a state median of $48,440 in Oklahoma to $102,140 in Washington[12]. Total jobs are projected to dip by 0.4% while all occupations grow 3.5%[2][36]. Openings still come up often, at about 38,800 a year[3].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a middle school teacher make?
The median pay was $64,370 a year in May 2025, and the average was $72,030[1][7]. BLS publishes only annual wages for this job[9].
What degree do you need to be a middle school teacher?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. All states require at least a bachelor's degree for public middle school teachers[17].
Do middle school teachers need a license?
All states require public school teachers to be licensed or certified for the grade level they teach, and private school teachers typically do not need a license[19].
Is middle school teaching in demand?
BLS projects employment to decline 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with growth of 3.5% for all occupations[2][36]. About 38,800 openings a year are still projected[3].
What is the highest paying state for middle school teachers?
Washington had the highest median at $102,140 in May 2025, followed by California at $98,950[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the US was $64,370 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is projected to decline 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 630,100 to 627,400 jobs (a change of -2,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: about 38,800 openings for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: 10th percentile $48,080, 25th percentile $58,530, 75th percentile $80,490, 90th percentile $102,540. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education was $72,030 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS publishes only annual wages for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 620,090 people were employed as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs: Texas 80,160; New York 38,670; California 37,300; Florida 31,370; Ohio 30,450. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (areas with at least 100 jobs): Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $106,920; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,030; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $104,410; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $104,320; Fresno, CA $104,250; El Centro, CA $104,140; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $103,880; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 39,310 (median $96,500); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 21,590 (median $65,660); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 19,340 (median $65,830); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 17,300 (median $78,000); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 14,890 (median $77,350); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 13,650 (median $75,490). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 25-2022.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 67%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 21%, Less than a High School Diploma 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 25-2022.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Art Teacher, English Teacher, Language Arts Teacher (LA Teacher), Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Middle School Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher (Physical Education Teacher), Science Teacher. O*NET OnLine
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of middle school teachers in 2025: Elementary and secondary schools; local 85%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.