Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

25-2031.00 Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation Needed

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Also known as: Accounting Teacher, After School Teacher, Algebra Teacher, Art Educator, Art Instructor, Art Teacher, Arts and Crafts Teacher, Athletic Instructor, ...

Annual Salary

$64,580

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$57,800 25th – 75th percentile $83,010
10th percentile $47,330
90th percentile $104,670
U.S. Employment: 1,072,540

Job Outlook

-1.6%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 66,200 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Bachelor's degree

What You'd Do

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.

Top Skills

Instructing 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Learning Strategies 4.0
Critical Thinking 3.9
Monitoring 3.9
Social Perceptiveness 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Education and Training 4.7
English Language 4.4
Customer and Personal Service 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.6
Psychology 3.4
Sociology and Anthropology 3.2
History and Archeology 3.0
Communications and Media 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
77%
Post-Bacc Cert
7.8%
Post-Master's
7.8%
Associate's
4%
Master's
3.5%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

ABC programming language Blackboard software Common Curriculum Desmos Email software Flipgrid Geogebra Google Classroom Google Drive Google Meet Instructional software Logo design software Moodle Nearpod PowerSchool SIS +4 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.7
Dependability
2.4
Optimism
2.3
Social Orientation
2.3
Cooperation
2.3
Empathy
2.2
Integrity
2.1
Self-Control

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Expression 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Speech Recognition 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 3.9
Near Vision 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Training and Teaching Others 4.7
Coaching and Developing Others 4.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.4
Developing Objectives and Strategies 4.2
Working with Computers 4.2
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Contact With Others
4.8
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.6
Public Speaking
4.5
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.3
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.2
Physical Proximity
4.2
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.1
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.0
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
3.6
Frequency of Decision Making
3.6

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.