How Much Do Teachers Make? Elementary and High School Teacher Salary Data for 2026

According to 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021), the national median annual wage was $63,640.

For high school teachers (SOC 25-2031), the median was $67,860.

Middle school teachers fall in between, with median wages of approximately $65,000.

BLS wage percentiles for elementary school teachers:

• 10th percentile: ~$41,000/year
• 25th percentile: ~$50,000/year
• 50th percentile (median): $63,640/year
• 75th percentile: ~$81,000/year
• 90th percentile: ~$100,000/year

These figures include teachers across all states and both public and private school settings.

Public school teachers — who make up the large majority of the workforce — are subject to state-level funding structures and collective bargaining agreements that create significant geographic variation.

Private school teachers often earn less than public school counterparts but may have different benefits and working conditions.

The cost of living in California explains in part why California teachers earn the highest state median at over $90,000, while the cost of living in New York similarly justifies above-average pay in the New York metro area.

For a complete breakdown of how any hourly wage in these ranges translates to annual, monthly, weekly, and after-tax take-home, see our hourly-to-annual salary conversion guides.

Teacher compensation in most public school districts follows a salary schedule — a structured pay grid based on years of experience (steps) and level of education (lanes). The following ranges reflect typical national estimates across public school districts:

Note that teacher hourly rates are often misleading when used to compare with other professions.

Most public school teachers work under 10-month contracts covering the academic year, with summer typically unpaid (though many districts spread salary payments across 12 months).

Teachers frequently spend significant hours outside the official school day on planning, grading, professional development, and parent communication — hours that are typically uncompensated beyond the base salary.

State of employment is the most powerful driver of teacher pay, reflecting differences in state education funding formulas, cost of living, and union bargaining strength. According to BLS OEWS state data and state education department reports:

• California: Consistently the highest-paying state for public school teachers, with median salaries above $90,000 in many districts. A strong union presence through the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the cost of living in California contribute to elevated wages.
• New York: New York teachers earn a median of approximately $80,000+, with New York City and suburban districts driving compensation above the state median. The cost of living in New York makes these higher wages more necessary to maintain comparable living standards.
• New Jersey and Illinois: Both states feature robust union contracts and above-average teacher pay, typically in the $75,000–$85,000 median range for experienced teachers.
• Mississippi: Among the lowest-paying states, with median teacher wages near $46,000 — less than half of California's median. Most states in the rural South and Mountain West pay significantly below the national median, though the cost of living in North Carolina and similar Southern states means teachers' modest wages stretch further locally.

Several factors meaningfully influence what a teacher may earn beyond base state-level wages:

• Union vs. non-union districts: Unionized school districts — concentrated in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and other states with strong labor organizing — typically offer higher base salaries, structured step increases, defined-benefit pensions, and protections against layoffs. Non-union districts have more flexibility in pay but often offer lower wages and less predictable advancement. Teachers in any district benefit from understanding salary negotiation strategies, particularly when moving between districts or advancing to higher salary lanes. Right-to-work states in the South and Mountain West generally have weaker union representation in public education, contributing to lower average pay in those regions.
• Master's degree and salary schedule lanes: Most public school salary schedules include education lanes that reward advanced degrees. Earning a master's degree in education or a content area typically moves a teacher to a higher salary lane, producing a pay increase of $2,000–$8,000 per year or more depending on the district. Some districts reimburse tuition for approved graduate programs.
• Teaching certification requirements: All states require public school teachers to hold state-issued teaching licenses or certificates. Requirements vary by state but typically include an approved teacher education program, student teaching experience, and passage of state-mandated content and pedagogy exams (such as the Praxis series or state-specific assessments). Private schools may have more flexibility in certification requirements.
• Grade level and subject area: High school teachers in high-demand subject areas — particularly math, science, special education, and bilingual education — are in shorter supply in many districts and may receive targeted recruitment incentives, bonuses, or above-schedule supplements. The shortage of qualified STEM and special education teachers is a documented challenge in many states.
• Summer employment: Because most teachers work 10-month contracts, annual salary comparisons with 12-month professions can be misleading. Teachers should set monthly savings targets based on actual take-home pay and build toward retirement savings goals through defined-benefit pension plans or supplemental 403(b) contributions. Many teachers take on summer employment, tutoring, curriculum work, or professional development during the summer months, which supplements base income but is generally not captured in BLS wage data.

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for elementary, middle, and high school teachers, employment growth projections vary by level:

• Elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021): Projected growth of 2% from 2023 to 2033 — slower than average, reflecting declining enrollment trends in many states
• High school teachers (SOC 25-2031): Projected growth of 1% from 2023 to 2033 — slower than average, similarly reflecting enrollment trends and school funding pressures

Despite slow projected growth, the BLS expects approximately 230,000 elementary teacher job openings and 76,000 high school teacher openings per year over the decade — driven primarily by the need to replace teachers who retire or leave the occupation.

Teacher retention is an ongoing challenge in many states, with concerns about compensation, workload, and working conditions contributing to turnover.