High School Teacher Career Guide

What Does a High School Teacher Do?

High school teachers (also called secondary school teachers) educate students in grades 9-12 across various subjects. They prepare lesson plans, deliver instruction, assess student performance, manage classrooms, and communicate with parents. Teachers may specialize in subjects like English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages, or career/technical education.

Education & Requirements

• Typical Education: Bachelor's degree in education or subject area
• Certifications: State teaching license or certification required in all states; typically requires passing exams and completing student teaching
• Key Skills: Communication, classroom management, lesson planning, subject matter expertise, patience, adaptability
• Experience: Student teaching internship during degree program; some states require mentorship period

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

• Median Annual Salary: $64,580
• Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,330
• Experienced (90th percentile): $104,670
• Typical Pay Range: Most high school teachers earn between $47,000 and $105,000 depending on experience, location, and subject specialty
• Benefits: Public school teachers typically receive strong benefits including health insurance, pension plans, and summers off

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of high school teachers is projected to decline by 2% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 1,094,500 teachers currently employed. Despite the overall decline, there will still be job openings each year due to teachers retiring or leaving the profession. The decline is primarily driven by declining student enrollment in many areas, budget constraints at the state and local level, and increasing class sizes. However, demand varies significantly by subject area—teachers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math), special education, and bilingual education often face better job prospects.

How to Break Into This Field

1. Education: Earn a bachelor's degree in education or your subject area. Most teachers complete a teacher preparation program that includes student teaching. Alternative certification programs exist for career changers with degrees in other fields.
2. Student Teaching: Complete required student teaching internship (typically one semester) to gain classroom experience under supervision of a mentor teacher.
3. Get Licensed: Pass required state exams (typically Praxis or state-specific tests) covering general teaching knowledge and your subject area. Requirements vary by state.
4. Build Skills: Gain experience with classroom management techniques, educational technology (Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.), differentiated instruction, and assessment methods.
5. Network: Join professional organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) or subject-specific groups (NCTM for math, NCTE for English, etc.). Attend education conferences and workshops.
6. Apply Strategically: Start applying 6-9 months before the school year begins. Focus on districts with teacher shortages or areas you're willing to relocate to. Consider starting with substitute teaching to get your foot in the door.

Career Path & Advancement

Many teachers spend their entire career in the classroom, advancing through salary steps based on experience and additional education (master's degrees, National Board Certification). Others pursue leadership roles such as department chair, instructional coach, curriculum specialist, or move into administration as assistant principals or principals (which requires additional education and certification). Some teachers transition to corporate training, curriculum development, educational technology companies, or tutoring businesses.

Pros & Cons

Related Careers

If you're interested in High School Teacher, you might also consider:

• Elementary School Teacher: Similar role but with younger students (grades K-5)
• Special Education Teacher: Work with students who have learning disabilities or special needs (growing field with better job prospects)
• College Professor: Teach at the post-secondary level (requires graduate degree)
• Instructional Coordinator: Develop curricula and teaching standards ($70,900 median salary)
• School Counselor: Provide academic and career guidance to students ($63,960 median salary)
• Corporate Trainer: Deliver training programs in business settings (often better pay)