Profession · Full profile

High School Teacher

Teach high school students, prepare them for exams, and guide their academic growth.

Average salary

$72,040

Salary range

$48,780 – $107,600

Training time

4 years full time

Job market

Little or no change

4/10

Work-life balance

Fair

5/10

High school teachers educate students in grades 9 through 12, focusing on subjects such as math, English, science, or history. They plan lessons that meet state standards, lead classroom discussions, evaluate assignments, and prepare teenagers for state assessments, college entrance exams, or Advanced Placement tests. Pay and job figures cover secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, the official group that includes high school teachers. Teachers also guide extracurricular clubs, communicate with parents, and supervise school activities.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A typical weekday teaching classes, planning lessons, and working with students.

7:30 AM
Arrival and lesson preparation
Review daily lesson plans and set up materials in the classroom.
8:00 AM
Morning instruction
Teach core subject classes to high school students.
11:15 AM
Study hall supervision
Supervise students during study hall and assist with questions.
12:00 PM
Lunch and department check-in
Eat lunch and discuss curriculum updates with fellow teachers.
12:45 PM
Afternoon instruction
Deliver subject lessons and lead class discussions.
2:30 PM
Student grading and planning
Grade student tests, mark assignments, and record scores.
3:30 PM
Club or sport supervision
Supervise student clubs or after-school sports activities.

Task breakdown

A daytime teaching schedule followed by evening parent-teacher conferences or school events.

7:45 AM
Classroom preparation
Organize student portfolios and progress reports for evening conferences.
8:15 AM
Morning classes
Teach scheduled subject classes and administer quizzes.
11:30 AM
Student assessment review
Grade coursework and track student academic progress in the online system.
12:15 PM
Lunch break
Take a midday break and coordinate with colleagues.
1:00 PM
Afternoon classes
Lead instructional activities and exam preparation sessions.
3:00 PM
Staff meeting
Meet with administrators to discuss state standards and student performance.
5:30 PM
Evening parent conferences
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss student progress and behavior.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$48,780

Average

$72,040

Maximum

$107,600

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$48,780	$72,040	$107,600
Texas	$50,410	$63,590	$78,020
California	$64,600	$101,370	$132,600
New York	$60,070	$97,070	$136,450
Pennsylvania	$51,440	$78,800	$102,360
Florida	$49,210	$60,410	$77,100

Typical benefits

Summer and holiday breaks

Teachers receive extended time off during the summer and throughout standard school holidays.

Pension plan in most public school districts

Public school teachers typically gain access to defined retirement pension plans.

Health insurance

Comprehensive medical coverage provided by school districts and educational employers.

Higher pay steps for graduate study

Salary schedules offer step increases for teachers who complete graduate degrees.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Bachelor's degree

4 years full time

Bachelor's degree in education or a subject area

Includes a teacher preparation program with supervised student teaching. Many teachers major in the subject they plan to teach.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students, and $45,000 at a private nonprofit four-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
High school subjects: Education, subject area majors such as math, English, science, or history

Master's degree

1 to 2 years

Master's degree in education or the subject taught

Some states require teachers to earn a master's degree within a set time after being licensed. This degree often moves teachers to a higher step on the district pay scale.

Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree
High school subjects: Education, specialized subject areas

Certificate

Several months to 2 years

Alternative teacher certification program

Lets career changers start teaching while completing licensing requirements. Offered in most states, often for high-need subjects.

Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree in any field
High school subjects: Teacher preparation coursework

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Lesson planningDesigning structured lessons aligned with state curriculum standards.
Subject matter expertiseDeep understanding of subjects such as math, English, science, or history.
Classroom managementMaintaining order, engagement, and positive behavior among students.
Student assessment and gradingEvaluating tests and tracking academic performance over time.
Learning management systemsUsing platforms such as Google Classroom or Canvas to assign and collect work.
Differentiated instructionAdapting teaching techniques to accommodate different learning needs.

Soft skills

PatienceRemaining calm and constructive when working with diverse student behaviors and challenges.
CommunicationClearly explaining complex concepts and sharing progress with parents and colleagues.
OrganizationManaging grading, lesson materials, and daily schedules efficiently.
EmpathyUnderstanding student perspectives and building supportive relationships.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
DedicatedCommitted to student learning, test preparation, and school activities.
✓
AdaptableAble to adjust lessons and classroom management approaches to meet student needs.
✓
SupportiveEncouraging teenagers as they navigate high school and prepare for college or careers.
✓
StructuredMaintains clear expectations, organized class materials, and predictable routines.
✓
AttentiveCarefully monitors student understanding, academic progress, and behavior in the classroom.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

63,500

Trend

Stable

Growth

-0.2%

AI impact

2/10

AI helps draft lesson plans, quizzes and feedback and grades some objective work. Managing a classroom, motivating teenagers and building relationships stay human.

Regional demand

Pennsylvania

Opportunities exist across urban and rural public school systems.

6/10

Texas

Demand is supported by statewide student enrollment across public and charter schools.

6/10

New York

School districts actively hire certified teachers across core secondary subjects.

5/10

California

Openings arise from retirements and staffing needs across large public school districts.

4/10

Florida

Steady secondary school enrollment creates consistent hiring needs.

4/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Lead teacher or department chair
4-8 years
Take on peer leadership and coordinate subject curriculum across the department.
Assistant principal
7-12 years
Step into school administration to support discipline, evaluations, and operations.
School principal
10-15 years
Oversee overall school leadership, staff management, and academic policy.
District administrator or superintendent
Lead district-wide programs, policies, and educational administration.

Horizontal move

School counselor
Transition horizontally into guiding students on personal, academic, and college planning.
View School Counselor
Corporate trainer
Apply instructional and presentation skills to train adults in business environments.
View Corporate Trainer
Middle school teacher
Shift teaching expertise horizontally to younger adolescents in middle school grades.
View Middle School Teacher

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: High school teachers work full time during the school year, often grading and planning in the evenings and on weekends, and many have summers off.
Remote work: Remote work is rare because schools teach students in person, though some online and virtual schools hire remote teachers.
Physical requirements: Teachers stand and move around the classroom for much of the day, which can be noisy and tiring.
Typical employers: Public school districts, charter schools, private and religious schools, online and virtual schools, boarding schools.
Professional associations: National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a high school teacher do every day?

A high school teacher instructs students in grades 9 through 12 in specific subjects such as English, math, science, or history. Daily tasks include planning lessons that meet state standards, managing classroom behavior, and grading tests and assignments. Teachers also prepare students for state assessments and college entrance exams, communicate with parents, and supervise extracurricular activities or study halls.

What qualifications are required to teach high school?

Public high school teachers must hold a bachelor's degree and a state teaching license or certificate in the subject they teach. Candidates must complete a teacher preparation program that includes supervised student teaching, pass subject or skills exams such as Praxis, and pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting. Some states also require teachers to earn a master's degree within a set time.

Can you become a high school teacher without an education degree?

Yes, you can become a high school teacher through an alternative teacher certification program if you hold a bachelor's degree in any field. These programs are available in most states, particularly for high-need subject areas. They allow career switchers to begin teaching in the classroom while finishing their state licensing requirements, with program lengths ranging from several months to 2 years.

What is the typical work schedule for a high school teacher?

High school teachers work full time during the school year following a weekday daytime schedule. Evenings and weekends are often spent grading coursework and preparing lesson materials, along with attending occasional parent conferences, games, or school events. In return, teachers enjoy regular holiday breaks and many have summers off, providing long periods to rest between academic terms.

How does artificial intelligence affect high school teaching?

Artificial intelligence assists high school teachers by drafting lesson plans, quizzes, and feedback, as well as grading objective student assignments. However, core educational responsibilities remain deeply human. AI cannot manage a classroom, motivate teenagers, or build supportive personal relationships with students. As a result, teachers continue to focus heavily on direct student mentorship, classroom instruction, and individualized guidance.

Can high school teachers work remotely?

Remote work is rare for high school teachers because most schools deliver instruction in person. Being physically present allows educators to guide discussions, monitor student behavior, and manage classroom activities directly. However, some online and virtual schools do employ remote teachers, offering opportunities for educators who prefer teaching students through digital learning management systems from home.

What career advancement opportunities are available for high school teachers?

High school teachers can advance into leadership roles such as lead teacher or department chair after gaining classroom experience. With further administrative credentials, teachers can become assistant principals, school principals, or district administrators and superintendents. Educators can also transition laterally into specialized positions like school counselors, middle school teachers, or corporate trainers in private industry.

Explore further

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In depth

All about high school teacher

The background, context and details.

Role and responsibilities of a high school teacher

High school teachers instruct students in grades 9 through 12, helping teenagers build knowledge in subjects such as math, English, science, and history. They develop structured lesson plans that adhere to state educational standards and deliver lectures, facilitate discussions, and oversee hands-on projects. Outside of active instruction, teachers evaluate assignments, grade exams, and monitor academic growth. They also prepare teenagers for state assessments, college entrance exams, and Advanced Placement tests. Regular communication with parents and guardians is essential for addressing academic progress and student behavior. In addition, teachers supervise study halls, student clubs, sporting events, and other campus functions.

Educational and licensing requirements

Becoming a high school teacher in a public school requires at least a bachelor's degree in education or in the specific subject taught. Degree programs typically feature an approved teacher preparation track with supervised student teaching. Public school teachers in all states must obtain a state teaching license or certificate in their subject area. Candidates in many states must also pass subject and basic skills exams such as Praxis. School employment requires passing a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline can pursue alternative teacher certification programs, which allow them to lead classrooms while finishing credentialing requirements. Some states also require educators to earn a master's degree within a set time after being licensed.

Work environment and schedule

Classes operate on a weekday daytime schedule during the academic school year. Most educators work in public school districts, charter schools, private schools, or boarding schools. High school teachers spend much of their day on their feet moving across classrooms, which can be noisy and physically tiring. Evenings and weekends frequently involve grading papers and organizing upcoming lesson materials. Teachers may also attend occasional evening parent conferences and school athletic events. Despite these demands, the profession offers structured breaks, including holiday vacations and summers off.

Career growth and professional pathways

Educators have several clear paths for professional advancement within and beyond the classroom. Teachers can take on leadership roles as lead teachers or department chairs. Those who pursue administration can advance to assistant principal, school principal, or district administrator and superintendent. Experienced teachers can also transition laterally into roles such as school counselor, middle school teacher, or corporate trainer in business settings.