How To Become A High School Biology Teacher: What It Is and Career Path

What is a high school biology teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Maggie Beeber,

Anita Corbett Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a high school biology teacher. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.32 an hour? That's $52,657 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 48,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a high school biology teacher?

Maggie Beeber

Undergraduate Advising Coordinator & Teacher Certification Officer, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Be flexible when searching for that first job. Spread your wings and be willing to live in a new community. You may find that it changes your whole life and is the perfect fit. Remember how hard you have worked to earn this degree. You are strong and can succeed in anything you put work into. We also want you to remember we are here if you need us.

ScoreHigh School Biology TeacherUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,657

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 3.57%

Black or African American 7.93%

Hispanic or Latino 11.57%

Unknown 3.96%

White 72.50%

Gender

female 65.57%

male 34.43%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a high school biology teacher

Explore high school biology teacher education requirements

Most common high school biology teacher degrees

Bachelor's

71.6 %

Master's

19.9 %

Associate

4.5 %

Start to develop specific high school biology teacher skills

Skills	Percentages
Professional Development	21.99%
Classroom Management	13.33%
English Language	10.32%
Chemistry	8.03%
Public Schools	5.86%

Complete relevant high school biology teacher training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New high school biology teachers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a high school biology teacher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real high school biology teacher resumes.

Research high school biology teacher duties and responsibilities

Manage a caseload of students and conduct IEP meetings.
Create clear and simple PowerPoint presentations.
Use computer technology such as PowerPoint and a projector to present lessons.
Develop and implement academic projects to prepare students for regional geography competition (which they win twice).

Prepare your high school biology teacher resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your high school biology teacher resume.

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