What You Need to Know About High School Teacher
Position Description Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.
Life As a High School Teacher
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
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Qualities of a High School Teacher
High School Teachers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- English Teacher
- Ballet Teacher
- Business Teacher
- High School Biology Teacher
- Bilingual Teacher
Are There Job Opportunities for High School Teachers?
In the United States, there were 1,018,700 jobs for High School Teacher in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 76,800 new jobs for High School Teacher by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 79,500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for High School Teacher are Utah, Nevada, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Connecticut, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a High School Teacher Make?
The typical yearly salary for High School Teachers is somewhere between $39,740 and $97,500.

High School Teachers who work in California, New York, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for High School Teachers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $51,180 |
Alaska | $77,920 |
Arizona | $48,610 |
Arkansas | $51,780 |
California | $80,510 |
Colorado | $55,110 |
Connecticut | $76,980 |
Delaware | $65,040 |
District of Columbia | $65,180 |
Florida | $54,120 |
Georgia | $58,050 |
Hawaii | $60,810 |
Idaho | $51,170 |
Illinois | $72,370 |
Indiana | $53,030 |
Iowa | $56,510 |
Kansas | $51,490 |
Kentucky | $56,200 |
Louisiana | $51,810 |
Maine | $54,240 |
Maryland | $72,610 |
Massachusetts | $80,020 |
Michigan | $62,950 |
Minnesota | $64,610 |
Mississippi | $47,190 |
Missouri | $54,280 |
Montana | $50,670 |
Nebraska | $57,500 |
Nevada | $57,910 |
New Hampshire | $61,510 |
New Jersey | $76,390 |
New Mexico | $55,380 |
New York | $85,300 |
North Carolina | $47,580 |
North Dakota | $55,400 |
Ohio | $61,930 |
Oklahoma | $42,540 |
Oregon | $72,640 |
Pennsylvania | $64,830 |
Rhode Island | $71,440 |
South Carolina | $54,400 |
South Dakota | $42,960 |
Tennessee | $53,620 |
Texas | $58,190 |
Utah | $59,070 |
Vermont | $65,850 |
Virginia | $68,770 |
Washington | $67,550 |
West Virginia | $47,050 |
Wisconsin | $58,360 |
Wyoming | $60,620 |
What Tools do High School Teachers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many High School Teachers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Google Drive
- Blackboard
- Video editing software
- Logo
- Instructional software
Becoming a High School Teacher
Learn what High School Teacher education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a High School Teacher?

Where do High School Teachers Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of High School Teachers employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as a High School Teacher sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Professors
- Communications Professors
References:
Image Credit: Janderk via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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