Middle School Teachers
O*NET title: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Also called: Middle School Teachers
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
Also called: Algebra Teacher, American History Teacher, Art Educator, Art Instructor, Art Teacher, Band Director
Median pay
$64,370
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,080 – $102,540
People employed
620,090
Holland code
SAC
Social · Artistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Middle School Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What middle school teachers do
- 01Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 03Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 04Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- 05Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 06Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Skills that matter most
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Philosophy and Theology
- Mathematics
- Psychology
Work styles that stand out
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
- Stress Tolerance
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from middle school teachers
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors94% · −4%
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary80% · +22%
- Instructional Coordinators79% · +20%
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary79% · +17%
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary76% · +25%
Change into middle school teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors94% · $61,540
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term89% · $41,670
- Tutors85% · $43,350
- Self-Enrichment Teachers83% · $46,800
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary83% · $42,910
Majors that lead here
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- Montessori Teacher Education
- Waldorf/Steiner Teacher Education
- Online Educator/Online Teaching
- International Teaching and Learning
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods
- Art Teacher Education
- English/Language Arts Teacher Education
- Foreign Language Teacher Education
- Health Teacher Education
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.