High School Teacher Salary

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How Much Does a High School Teacher Earn In The United States?

High School Teacher Salaries

Updated December 31, 2020

Average Yearly Salary

$48,000

$35,000

$48,000

$64,000

Did you know that the average high school teacher makes $48,044 per year? That's valued at $23.1 per hour! The range surrounding that average can vary between $35,000 and $64,000, meaning high school teachers have the opportunity to earn more once they move past entry-level roles. Most high school teachers find a job with education and non profits companies, while others work for education, government, and non profits companies to make more money. Those aren't the only places you can earn a higher paycheck. Vermont, Alaska and Rhode Island are the top states in the U.S. to pay high school teachers the highest salaries.

Best Paying Cities

1. Troy, NY

Average Salary: $76,170

High School Teacher Jobs: 3

2. Baltimore, MD

Average Salary: $65,093

3. San Francisco, CA

Average Salary: $57,894

High School Teacher Jobs: 3

4. Washington, DC

Average Salary: $55,204

5. Suffolk, VA

Average Salary: $49,658

6. Chicago, IL

Average Salary: $49,050

High School Teacher Jobs: 3

7. Houston, TX

Average Salary: $44,870

High School Teacher Jobs: 2

8. Columbus, OH

Average Salary: $44,748

9. Columbia, SC

Average Salary: $43,357

10. Gainesville, GA

Average Salary: $43,097

11. Baton Rouge, LA

Average Salary: $39,183

12. Overland Park, KS

Average Salary: $38,725

13. Jacksonville, FL

Average Salary: $38,642

14. Jacksonville, AR

Average Salary: $38,459

15. Indianapolis, IN

Average Salary: $38,141

High School Teacher Jobs: 1

16. Santa Fe, NM

Average Salary: $36,535

17. Denver, CO

Average Salary: $34,608

High School Teacher Jobs: 1

18. Glendale, AZ

Average Salary: $34,576

Your City

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Where High School Teachers Earn The Most

The darker areas on the map show where high school teachers earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average Salary

How Much Do High School Teachers Earn In Different Cities?

Throughout the U.S., the average salary for a high school teacher is roughly $48,044 per year, which boils down to $23.1 per hour. Interestingly enough, high school teachers have the highest salaries in Troy, NY at about $76,170 per year. For those who are just starting out, the average entry-level salary in Troy, NY is $48,000. Additionally, high school teachers make more than the average salary in Baltimore, MD, San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC, Suffolk, VA, and Chicago, IL. On a more broad level, high school teacher salaries are highest in Vermont, Alaska, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New York, and Connecticut. On the contrary, South Dakota, Arizona, and Colorado offer the lowest high school teacher salaries.

City

Average Salary

Troy, NY

$76k$76,170

Baltimore, MD

$65k$65,093

San Francisco, CA

$58k$57,894

Washington, DC

$55k$55,204

Suffolk, VA

$50k$49,658

Chicago, IL

$49k$49,050

Houston, TX

$45k$44,870

Columbus, OH

$45k$44,748

Columbia, SC

$43k$43,357

Gainesville, GA

$43k$43,097

$29k

$96k

High Paying High School Teacher Jobs

Which Companies Pay High School Teachers The Most?

If you want to get paid the most as a high school teacher, being employed by a company such as San Ramon Valley High School or Madera High School would be a smart choice, as they are the highest paying companies in this field. Additionally, companies like Pasadena Unified School District and Pgh Public Schools also report highly competitive salaries for high school teachers.

Company

Average Salary

San Ramon Valley High School

$90k$90,441

Madera High School

$90k$89,902

Pasadena Unified School District

$89k$89,027

Pgh Public Schools

$88k$87,504

San Francisco Unified School District

$82k$81,783

San Leandro High School

$76k$75,913

Ridgefield Park High School

$75k$75,011

Sweetwater Union High School District Financing

$72k$71,733

Baltimore City Public Schools

$71k$71,252

School of Practical Nursing - Columbus Public Schools

$64k$64,394

$46k

$102k

The largest raises come from changing jobs.

See what's out there.

How would you rate the starting salaries for graduates in this field, as well as the salary prospects down the line as they advance in their careers?

Maggie Beeber

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

As much as we would like to see an increase in teacher salaries, we seldom speak of the other financial benefits most districts offer: one of the best pension plans in the country, health, sometimes vision and dental. Many districts will give raises for years of experience and higher-level degrees like a master's degree, EdD or Ph.D. Some may assist in paying for these.

How would you rate the starting salaries for graduates in this field, as well as the salary prospects down the line as they advance in their careers?

R. Todd Coy Ph.D.

Professor, Colby-Sawyer College

In many professional fields, seeking an advanced degree or training can change the trajectory of one's salary in a positive way. But I think to maximize one's earning potential, they should be flexible and willing to learn specific technologies that will increase their real-world value to prospective employers and, therefore, maximize their earning potential.