High School Teachers

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Because teachers usually work a ten-month year, their wages are reported annually.

High school teachers who coach sports or supervise other extracurricular activities may be paid extra for their work.

Teachers who work full time usually receive benefits. Common benefits include sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Over half of all public school teachers belong to unions -- mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. These unions negotiate with employers regarding wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
• Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School

Employment

In Minnesota, about 25,939 high school and middle school teachers work in this large occupation.

Major employers:

• Public and private schools

Outlook

The number of school-age children is increasing slowly. The growth rate varies by area of the country. States in the South and West--particularly Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Georgia--will have a large increase in the number of students. However, states in the Northeast and Midwest may actually have fewer students.

Job availability depends heavily on geographical location. Positions are often available in big cities and small, rural towns. Limited funding in these places can make it difficult to attract and keep teachers. Availability also depends upon subject. High school teachers who specialize in subjects such as computer science and bilingual education are very desirable to many school districts.