The median pay for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is $64,370 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 0.4% through 2035, with about 38,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 25-2022
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Middle School Teacher in four numbers
- Median pay
- $64,370a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $103K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.4%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 38,800630,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025630.1K
- Projected 2035627.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 630.1K Projected 2035 627.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school9.6%
- Bachelor's66.9%
- Post-bacc certificate21.3%
- Master's2.2%
Highest education held by middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education Segment Value Less than high school 9.6% Bachelor's 66.9% Post-bacc certificate 21.3% Master's 2.2%
Also advertised as: Art Teacher, English Teacher, Language Arts Teacher (LA Teacher), Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Middle School Teacher, Music Teacher.
Pay
How much do middle school teachers make?
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn a median of $64,370 a year (about $5,360 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $48,080 and the top 10% more than $102,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Washington, with a median of $102,140. See Middle school teacher salary in Washington and every other state. By city, pay is highest around El Centro ($117,020 average): salary in every city.
Every middle school teacher in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$64,370
Middle half earn $58,530 to $80,490
- 10th
- $48,080
- 25th
- $58,530
- 75th
- $80,490
- 90th
- $102,540
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,080 |
| 25th | $58,530 |
| Median | $64,370 |
| 75th | $80,490 |
| 90th | $102,540 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $64,370
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $72,030
- People employed
- 620,090
Versus all US occupations
At $64,370, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn 26% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $13,390 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 6% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $102,540 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,080, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 40% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $102,140, and still leads at $95,446 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay middle school teachers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $102,140 | $95,446 | 10,510 |
| 2California | $98,950 | $89,370 | 37,300 |
| 3New York | $94,840 | $87,879 | 38,670 |
| 4Connecticut | $93,610 | $90,348 | 7,920 |
| 5Rhode Island | $92,760 | $90,692 | 2,370 |
| 6Massachusetts | $89,450 | $84,581 | 16,570 |
| 7District of Columbia | $79,900 | $72,702 | 1,540 |
| 8Utah | $79,180 | $80,090 | 5,960 |
| 9Alaska | $78,940 | $77,121 | 1,150 |
| 10New Jersey | $78,770 | $72,396 | 23,650 |
Job outlook
Is middle school teacher a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | −0.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to change -0.4% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,600 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 38,800 openings are projected each year, 6.2% of the 630,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite declining employment, about 38,800 openings for middle school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The number of students in public middle schools is expected to decrease over the projections decade. The number of classes needed to accommodate these students will depend on class size, with larger classes requiring fewer teachers than smaller ones.
AI exposure: high
BLS places this occupation in its high relative AI exposure category, above the middle of the pack: a substantial share of the work overlaps with what AI can do.
Getting in
How to become a middle school teacher
Middle school teachers typically need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education.
- Bachelor's Degree66.9%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate21.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma9.6%
- Master's Degree2.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 66.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 21.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.6% |
| Master's Degree | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a middle school teacher do?
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grade. Middle school teachers help students build on the fundamentals taught in elementary school and prepare students for high school.
Day-to-day tasks
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
- Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
- Assign lessons and correct homework.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Meet or correspond with parents or guardians to discuss children's progress and to determine priorities and resource needs.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Middle school teachers generally work during school hours when students are present. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. Teachers who coach sports or advise clubs generally do so before or after school. They often spend time in the evenings and on weekends grading papers and preparing lessons.
Many teachers work a traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break. Some teachers work during the summer.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Elementary and secondary schools; local85%
- Elementary and secondary schools; private14%
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations1%
- Elementary and secondary schools; state1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 85% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 14% |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 1% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Learning Strategies4.3
- Speaking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.9
- Critical Thinking3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Learning Strategies | 4.3 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Time Management3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Service Orientation3.3
- Persuasion3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software
- Computer based training software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a middle school teacher?
Women make up 79.2% of middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
19.7% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 43.4 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 79.2%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 43.4All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 19.7%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 3,511,000Elementary and middle school teachers · BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 79.2% | 47.1% |
| White | 82.4% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 10.5% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 4.3% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.8% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 19.7% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 5.8% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%. CPS reports this occupation only within the wider Census group “Elementary and middle school teachers”, so these figures are for that group.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a middle school teacher?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Middle School Teacher |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 7 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Social7.0
- Artistic4.1
- Conventional3.6
- Investigative3.3
- Enterprising2.7
- Realistic2.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Middle School Teacher
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructor
$61,540median a year
Most earn $42K to $98K
−13.9%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education highlighted
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Middle School Teacher$64,370
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,370 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Middle School Teacher appears on
Questions
Middle School Teacher: frequently asked questions
How much do middle school teachers make?
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn a median of $64,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 26% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. The middle half earn between $58,530 and $80,490. The top 10% earn $102,540 or more.
What is the starting salary for a middle school teacher?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education earn less than $48,080 a year and the bottom quarter less than $58,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do middle school teachers make $100k?
A minority do. $100,000 sits between the 75th percentile ($80,490) and the 90th ($102,540), so roughly 10% to 25% of middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). One state has a median above $100,000: Washington ($102,140).
Which states pay middle school teachers the most?
The highest state medians for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education are Washington ($102,140), California ($98,950), New York ($94,840) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of middle school teacher earns the most?
BLS does not split middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $102,540, against a median of $64,370 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Washington ($102,140), California ($98,950), New York ($94,840).
Do you need a degree to become a middle school teacher?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 66.9% hold bachelor's degree.
How long does it take to become a middle school teacher?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for middle school teachers is a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes the work as needing considerable preparation.
Is middle school teacher a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.4% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,600 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 38,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a middle school teacher do?
Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grade. A core O*NET task: observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. Employers most often ask for Document management software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Do middle school teachers work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 78% of middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education usually work more than 40 hours a week, 17% work exactly 40 and 5% work fewer. 95% say their schedule is regular and 5% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a middle school teacher?
O*NET scores Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education highest on the Social, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFP, ENFJ, ENFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of middle school teachers are women?
Women make up 79.2% of middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 19.7% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 43.4 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages, for the Census group "Elementary and middle school teachers".