Highest-Paying Teacher Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of teachers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of teachers:

• Student Teacher is the highest-paid type of teacher with an average salary of $59,035 and an average hourly rate of $28.38.

• The second highest-paying type of teacher is history teacher, with an average salary of $53,780.

• The average teacher salary is $47,989 per year, and the average hourly pay is $23.07.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a teacher, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of teachers are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of teachers:

1. Student Teacher

   Average Salary: $59,035

   A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers’ duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students’ records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

2. History Teacher

   Average Salary: $53,780

   A history teacher analyzes all resources and prescribed texts to create quality curricula and lesson plans, collaborate with other teachers, and learn from the classroom management techniques, teaching strategies, and methods. These professionals deliver engaging history-related lessons on various movements, periods, and other history-related figures and events. Moreover, history teachers grade tests, exams, presentations, assignments, and quizzes and call parents and other staff members to schedule interventions and discuss concerns. Also, they use digital technology to keep accurate learners’ records and improve learning.

3. Middle School Teacher

   Average Salary: $53,363

   A middle school teacher is responsible for teaching students in grades six to eight, following a curriculum that fits on their grade levels to prepare them for the next advancement. Middle school teachers strategize effective lesson plans, engaging activities, and assessments to test the students’ knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. They also observe the personal and developmental behaviors of the students by conducting group activities and performance. A middle school teacher identifies the students’ strengths and weaknesses, adjusting the learning approach as needed to cater to each student’s needs and difficulties.

4. Summer School Teacher

   Average Salary: $52,828

   A Summer School Teacher is a teacher who works during the summer period. They develop and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. Generally, they have the same duties as a school teacher.

5. ESL Teacher

   Average Salary: $52,701

   An ESL teacher specializes in teaching the English language to non-native speakers of all ages, usually in a virtual setting. Their responsibilities revolve around devising lesson plans, organizing learning materials, evaluating progress, and coming up with strategies to make learners feel comfortable. Furthermore, they must maintain a healthy and safe learning environment, whether the lessons are in a one-on-one or group setting. When it comes to virtual learning, an ESL teacher must have the necessary equipment, a stable internet connection, and an obstruction-free teaching location.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various teacher that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Teachers

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for teachers.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Teacher Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid teacher job?

   The highest-paid teacher job is a student teacher. Student Teachers earn an average salary of $59,035, which is $ 28.38 hourly.

   A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers’ duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students’ records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

2. What is a good salary for a teacher?

   A good salary for a teacher is $47,989 or more. The average teacher salary is $47,989, so those making at least $47,989 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average teacher salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a teacher, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $47,989 average, as this includes all teachers of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Teacher jobs pay well?

   Yes, teacher jobs pay well. As in any industry, some teacher jobs pay better than others, but the average teacher salary of $47,989 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many teacher jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of teachers earning $0 a year on average.

   Teachers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a teacher. Do your research on the going rate for a teacher in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do teachers get paid the most?

   Teachers get paid the most in Maryland. In Maryland, teachers earn an average annual salary of $61,254 and an average hourly wage of $29.45.

   Following MD, the states with the highest-paid teachers are Connecticut, New York, and District of Columbia, with average annual salaries of $53,838, $57,919, and $57,460 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid teacher salaries are:

   1. Baltimore, MD – $61,238

   2. San Francisco, CA – $59,480

   3. New York, NY – $58,392

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.