Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Secondary school teachers instruct students in one or more subjects at the middle and high school levels. They work in public and private schools, developing lesson plans, delivering instruction, grading assignments, and managing classrooms. Teachers typically spend their days in classrooms with students and their evenings and weekends preparing materials and evaluating student work.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves planning lessons aligned with curriculum standards, delivering instruction through lectures and discussions, facilitating group projects, and assessing student understanding through quizzes and assignments. Teachers attend staff meetings, communicate with parents about student progress, and spend time outside class hours grading papers and preparing materials. They may supervise extracurricular activities or coach sports depending on their school's needs and their own involvement.
Who this work suits
Holland code SAC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely excel in this role if you value connecting with young people and enjoy exploring how different subjects relate to real life. Your combination of social skills and creative thinking helps you design engaging lessons and adapt instruction to different learning styles.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $81,360 | $102,670 | $121,100 | 14,880 |
| California | $79,710 | $101,370 | $125,920 | 99,230 |
| New York | $76,050 | $97,070 | $131,980 | 70,660 |
| Massachusetts | $77,890 | $95,260 | $102,530 | 28,460 |
| Rhode Island | $66,470 | $92,610 | $97,230 | 4,910 |
| District of Columbia | $66,480 | $82,750 | $102,320 | 2,800 |
| New Jersey | $75,790 | $82,200 | $102,410 | 38,140 |
| Connecticut | $62,800 | $80,970 | $101,260 | 14,800 |
| Illinois | $62,330 | $79,990 | $104,670 | 44,670 |
| Alaska | $78,250 | $79,650 | $97,880 | 2,790 |
| Oregon | $61,990 | $79,570 | $96,140 | 11,730 |
| Ohio | $61,170 | $78,800 | $97,520 | 49,540 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- National Board Certification - Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood - Physical Education — National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 25-2031.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.