Teacher Appreciation Week: How much do high school teachers earn a year in the US?
Every year during the first full week of May, the United States celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week. Here’s how they are compensated for their hard work.
Teachers can make a big difference in their pupils’ lives as they prepare them for life in the labor force or higher education. They prepare young minds to go on to do great things with patience under trying circumstances, especially when dealing with teenagers.
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki perhaps summed it up best when he said: “If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes.”
The United States will need over 67,000 new high school teachers each year over the coming decade despite a low occupational growth of just 1 percent expected according to the latest federal data. Not only will those new educators be adding to the current body of teachers but also to replace those who retire or move into other fields of employment.
Depending on the school district, high school teachers typically work 10 months of the year with the two summer months off. As well as extended breaks during the school year in the winter and spring. They generally work during school hours, however, it is a job that may require working evenings and weekends in order to prepare lessons and grade exams and projects.
How much do high school teachers earn a year in the US?
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual salary in 2023 was $65,220 per year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,040, and the highest 10 percent took home over $106,380.
Indeed found from almost 25,000 reported salaries that the average annual base income was $59,730 at the end of April 2024. The online jobs site also notes that teachers with public speaking skills earned nearly 38 percent more than the average base salary. A skill whose demand has increased by a third since 2018.
High school teachers may teach summer school or perform other tasks in addition to teaching like coaching sports to earn extra income.
What are the requirements to become a high school teacher?
In order to become a high school teacher you must have at a minimum a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach. Additionally, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license, which may be required for private schools as well.
You may also need to have completed an accredited teacher preparation program to cut your teeth and gain student-teacher experience. Some states also require a master’s degree after earning your teaching certificate.
After completing and passing the exams, teacher trainees must undergo a background check. Additionally, they may need a medical examination to confirm their vaccination status and ensure they are not infected with highly contagious illnesses such as tuberculosis.