How much does a high school teacher make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $6,003 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $4,936
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.3 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $200,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $107,800 |
| 2. Luxembourg estimate | $88,480 |
| 3. Iceland estimate | $77,110 |
| 5. Qatar estimate | $72,140 |
| 6. United States | $72,040 |
| 7. Denmark estimate | $69,410 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $387 |
Similar jobs
Professionals
- Professor$84,060
- Vocational teacher$65,030
- Elementary school teacher$64,090
- Preschool teacher$42,690
- Education officer$77,440
- Special needs teacher$68,620
- Esol teacher$47,310
- Music teacher$46,800
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Washington | $102,700 |
| California | $101,400 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
See all 51 states
| Oregon | $79,570 |
| Ohio | $78,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,800 |
| Maryland | $78,670 |
| Delaware | $77,960 |
| New Hampshire | $77,060 |
| Minnesota | $76,460 |
| Utah | $76,330 |
| Vermont | $76,220 |
| New Mexico | $75,900 |
| Georgia | $75,480 |
| Hawaii | $74,310 |
| Colorado | $72,900 |
| Virginia | $72,170 |
| Michigan | $66,030 |
| Nevada | $65,520 |
| Maine | $64,880 |
| Texas | $63,590 |
| Nebraska | $63,450 |
| Wisconsin | $62,870 |
| Wyoming | $62,690 |
| South Carolina | $62,580 |
| Alabama | $61,990 |
| Indiana | $61,880 |
| Tennessee | $61,860 |
| Idaho | $61,690 |
| Kentucky | $61,560 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 |
| Iowa | $61,200 |
| Montana | $60,990 |
| Florida | $60,410 |
| Kansas | $59,920 |
| Louisiana | $59,850 |
| Arkansas | $59,660 |
| Missouri | $59,240 |
| Arizona | $58,360 |
| North Carolina | $57,650 |
| West Virginia | $56,610 |
| South Dakota | $51,050 |
| Mississippi | $50,980 |
| Oklahoma | $48,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a high school teacher make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $6,003 a month, $72,040 a year.
How much does a high school teacher make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $48,780 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $107,600.
Which country pays a high school teacher the most?
Germany, with a median of $76,400 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a high school teacher the most?
Washington, with a median of $102,700 a year.
Does a high school teacher make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $76,400 a year against $72,040 in the United States, 1.1 times more.
Who makes more, a high school teacher or a professor?
A professor: $84,060 a year against $72,040 for a high school teacher, 1.2 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate