How much does a middle school teacher make?
The median middle school teacher in the United States earns $64,370 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all middle school teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-2022.
Middle school teacher salary range
Pay for middle school teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,080 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $102,540. The average (mean) wage of $72,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,080 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,530 | |
| Median (50th) | $64,370 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,490 | |
| 90th percentile | $102,540 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education (SOC 25-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Middle school teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Middle school teachers earn the most in Washington at $102,140 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $48,440. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,140 | 10,510 |
| California | $98,950 | 37,300 |
| New York | $94,840 | 38,670 |
| Connecticut | $93,610 | 7,920 |
| Rhode Island | $92,760 | 2,370 |
| Massachusetts | $89,450 | 16,570 |
| District of Columbia | $79,900 | 1,540 |
| Utah | $79,180 | 5,960 |
| Alaska | $78,940 | 1,150 |
| New Jersey | $78,770 | 23,650 |
| Maryland | $78,510 | 14,530 |
| Oregon | $78,350 | 6,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,930 | 22,720 |
| Ohio | $77,090 | 30,450 |
| Illinois | $76,110 | 24,770 |
| New Mexico | $75,240 | 4,260 |
| Vermont | $73,940 | 1,620 |
| New Hampshire | $71,140 | 3,120 |
| Hawaii | $69,230 | 2,480 |
| Delaware | $67,780 | 2,350 |
| Nevada | $66,300 | 3,910 |
| Georgia | $64,780 | 23,610 |
| Michigan | $63,790 | 15,420 |
| Colorado | $63,760 | 13,280 |
| Maine | $63,590 | 2,780 |
| Virginia | $63,520 | 18,290 |
| Texas | $63,390 | 80,160 |
| Minnesota | $62,640 | 8,890 |
| Nebraska | $62,510 | 4,150 |
| Wyoming | $62,480 | 1,290 |
| Wisconsin | $61,960 | 14,460 |
| Alabama | $61,770 | 10,000 |
| Montana | $61,550 | 1,980 |
| Kentucky | $61,120 | 8,040 |
| Idaho | $60,930 | 2,360 |
| South Carolina | $60,810 | 9,750 |
| Indiana | $60,700 | 11,700 |
| Tennessee | $60,690 | 13,060 |
| Kansas | $60,580 | 6,230 |
| Iowa | $60,450 | 6,270 |
| North Dakota | $60,100 | 1,400 |
| Arizona | $59,710 | 9,020 |
| Arkansas | $59,570 | 6,140 |
| Missouri | $59,310 | 11,330 |
| Florida | $58,940 | 31,370 |
| Louisiana | $58,760 | 5,560 |
| West Virginia | $57,210 | 4,090 |
| North Carolina | $52,010 | 20,650 |
| South Dakota | $50,980 | 2,130 |
| Mississippi | $50,790 | 6,260 |
| Oklahoma | $48,440 | 7,620 |
State median wages for middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education (SOC 25-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for middle school teachers
The BLS projects employment of middle school teachers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 630,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 627,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 38,800 openings a year for middle school teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a middle school teacher
The typical entry-level education for middle school teachers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a middle school teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $102,140) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $48,440) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 620,090 people work as middle school teachers in the United States. At $64,370 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Middle school teacher salary FAQ
How much does a middle school teacher make an hour?
Middle school teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $64,370.
What is the highest middle school teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of middle school teachers earn more than $102,540 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a middle school teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a middle school teacher is $64,370. The average (mean) wage of $72,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a middle school teacher a well paid job?
At $64,370 a year, a middle school teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 620,090 people work as middle school teachers in the United States.
Which state pays middle school teachers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for middle school teachers at $102,140 a year. California ($98,950) and New York ($94,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a middle school teacher a good career?
Employment of middle school teachers is projected to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 38,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a middle school teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for middle school teachers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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