High School Teacher Salary (2026): How Much Do Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Make?

National and state-by-state median wages · BLS OEWS data · Updated September 10, 2026

National Median$74,587
Per Hour$35.86
Total Jobs$1,065,210
Highest Paying StateWashington

High School Teacher Salary by State (All 50 States + DC)

#StateMedian Annual Salaryvs. NationalJobs
1Washington$102,670▲ 38%14,880
2California$101,370▲ 36%99,230
3New York$97,070▲ 30%70,660
4Massachusetts$95,260▲ 28%28,460
5Rhode Island$92,610▲ 24%4,910
6District of Columbia$82,750▲ 11%2,800
7New Jersey$82,200▲ 10%38,140
8Connecticut$80,970▲ 9%14,800
9Illinois$79,990▲ 7%44,670
10Alaska$79,650▲ 7%2,790
11Oregon$79,570▲ 7%11,730
12Ohio$78,800▲ 6%49,540
13Pennsylvania$78,800▲ 6%52,240
14Maryland$78,670▲ 5%16,640
15Delaware$77,960▲ 5%5,360
16New Hampshire$77,060▲ 3%5,860
17Minnesota$76,460▲ 3%16,020
18Utah$76,330▲ 2%11,030
19Vermont$76,220▲ 2%2,450
20New Mexico$75,900▲ 2%8,120
21Georgia$75,480▲ 1%25,730
22Hawaii$74,310▲ 0%5,590
23Colorado$72,900▼ 2%18,310
24Virginia$72,170▼ 3%31,100
25Michigan$66,030▼ 11%25,540
26Nevada$65,520▼ 12%8,920
27Maine$64,880▼ 13%5,540
28Texas$63,590▼ 15%111,660
29Nebraska$63,450▼ 15%7,170
30Wisconsin$62,870▼ 16%15,910
31Wyoming$62,690▼ 16%1,600
32South Carolina$62,580▼ 16%16,080
33Alabama$61,990▼ 17%15,880
34Indiana$61,880▼ 17%20,430
35Tennessee$61,860▼ 17%21,230
36Idaho$61,690▼ 17%6,570
37Kentucky$61,560▼ 17%12,780
38North Dakota$61,210▼ 18%3,070
39Iowa$61,200▼ 18%12,310
40Montana$60,990▼ 18%3,670
41Florida$60,410▼ 19%49,810
42Kansas$59,920▼ 20%10,860
43Louisiana$59,850▼ 20%15,210
44Arkansas$59,660▼ 20%12,890
45Missouri$59,240▼ 21%24,380
46Arizona$58,360▼ 22%21,190
47North Carolina$57,650▼ 23%28,620
48West Virginia$56,610▼ 24%3,590
49South Dakota$51,050▼ 32%3,360
50Mississippi$50,980▼ 32%10,400
51Oklahoma$48,710▼ 35%15,480

FAQ

How much does a High School Teacher make?

The national median annual salary for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education is $74,587, about $35.86 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.

What state pays secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education the most?

Washington tops the list at $102,670 per year.

What state pays secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education the least?

Oklahoma has the lowest median at $48,710.

How much does a High School Teacher make per hour?

At the national median, secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education earn about $35.86 per hour (based on a 2,080-hour work year).

Where are the most secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education employed?

The table above shows total jobs per state; states with the largest numbers of secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education include Texas.