Compensation
Median Pay
$72,040
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$72,040
Projected Growth
-1.6%
Annual Openings
66,200
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
1,094,500
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
-1.6%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
66,200
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Bachelor's degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Creativity & innovation
96 / 100
96%
Speaking & listening
96 / 100
96%
Adaptability
94 / 100
94%
Interpersonal
84 / 100
84%
Leadership
78 / 100
78%
Project management
76 / 100
76%
Writing & reading
76 / 100
76%
Problem solving & decision making
74 / 100
74%
Science
72 / 100
72%
Mathematics
69 / 100
69%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education a Good Career?
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education (occupation code 25-2031), work in a large, established field with 1,094,000 jobs nationally. The national median annual salary of $64,580 reflects a stable earning level for professionals in this role. While projected employment growth is -1.6%, there are still an estimated 66,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and replacement needs. This creates continued access points for new entrants and career changers, even alongside a slight projected decline. The role benefits from a broad skill profile that includes creativity and innovation, speaking and listening, adaptability, interpersonal abilities, leadership, project management, and strong writing, reading, problem solving, science, and mathematics skills. For those who enjoy working with ideas and people and who are prepared for a professional path that values communication and critical thinking, this occupation offers consistent nationwide demand and a well-defined career structure, along with related alternatives in special education, middle school, and postsecondary teaching.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary
The national median annual salary for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, is $64,580. However, earnings vary significantly by location. Several states stand out with higher median salaries, including Washington at $102,670, California at $101,370, New York at $97,070, and Massachusetts at $95,260. Metro-area data shows even higher levels in some regions, such as San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $108,230, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $100,800, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $102,880. These figures highlight that teachers in certain states and metros can see substantially higher pay than the national median. Opportunity scores in these locations, such as 77.42 in San Jose and 77.27 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, pair strong pay with broader career conditions, suggesting that location choice can make a meaningful difference in long-term earning potential.
Job Outlook for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, have a large national employment base of 1,094,000 jobs. The occupation’s projected employment growth is -1.6%, indicating a modest decline in total positions over the projection period. Despite this, the field is expected to generate about 66,000 annual openings. These openings stem from ongoing workforce dynamics such as retirements and job changes, creating opportunities for new teachers and those re-entering the profession. The combination of a large existing workforce and consistent annual openings means that, even with slightly negative projected growth, individuals interested in this career will still encounter hiring activity across the country. For those exploring alternatives, related options include special education teachers at various grade levels, middle school teachers (excluding special and career/technical education), and postsecondary teachers, offering additional pathways within the broader education landscape.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Location plays a major role in the career picture for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington rank high by CareerGPS opportunity score. Washington and California offer median salaries above $100,000 ($102,670 and $101,370), while New York and Massachusetts also report comparatively high medians of $97,070 and $95,260. Colorado’s median salary is $72,900, with an opportunity score of 56.97, indicating a different balance of pay and conditions than the coastal states with higher salaries and scores. Employment levels also differ, from 99,230 jobs in California and 70,660 in New York to 14,880 in Washington. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ show the strongest opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27) and six-figure median salaries. Other high-scoring metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH.
Education for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
The typical education requirement for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education aligns with the profession’s emphasis on both subject-matter knowledge and broad professional skills. Success in this role draws on creativity and innovation, strong speaking and listening abilities, and adaptability to different situations and learners. Interpersonal skills and leadership are important for working with students and collaborating with colleagues. Project management skills support planning and coordinating work over time. Writing and reading skills are central to preparing materials and engaging with educational content, while problem solving and decision making help address day-to-day challenges. Competence in science and mathematics is also part of the overall skill profile. Together, the bachelor’s degree and this mix of communication, analytical, and organizational skills create a solid foundation for entering and progressing within this teaching career, as well as considering related roles in other education settings over time.
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