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Education2025

High School Teacher Salary in the USA

High school teachers educate students aged 14-18 in specific subjects. They plan lessons, assess student progress, and support student development.

Average Salary
$62,000
per year
Entry Level
$45,000
starting salary
Experienced
$62,000
mid-career
Senior Level
$80,000
top earners

High School Teacher Take Home Pay

On the average High School Teacher salary of $62,000, you would take home $51,856 per year ($4,321.29 per month) after federal tax and FICA.

Yearly
Gross: $62,000.00
$51,855.50
Federal Tax:-$5,401.50
FICA (SS + Medicare):-$4,743.00
Monthly
Gross: $5,166.67
$4,321.29
Federal Tax:-$450.13
FICA (SS + Medicare):-$395.25
Weekly
Gross: $1,192.31
$997.22
Federal Tax:-$103.88
FICA (SS + Medicare):-$91.21

Effective tax rate: 16.4%|Marginal rate: 12%

High School Teacher Salary by Location

High School Teacher salaries vary significantly by region. California and New York typically offer the highest salaries but also have higher costs of living and state income taxes.

New York
$75,000
+25% vs national
California
$80,000
+33% vs national
Texas
$55,000
-8% vs national
National Average
$60,000
baseline

High School Teacher Salary Growth (2020-2025)

See how High School Teacher salaries have changed over the past 5 years, including inflation-adjusted real growth.

High School Teacher Salary Trends (5 Years)
Historical salary data from 2020 to 2025

+19.3%

Total Growth

+$10,043

Salary Increase

+3.6%

Annual Growth Rate

-4.0%

Real Growth (Inflation Adj.)

Year-over-Year Changes

20202021
$51,957$53,256+2.5%
20212022
$53,256$54,854+3.0%
20222023
$54,854$57,048+4.0%
20232024
$57,048$59,615+4.5%
20242025
$59,615$62,000+4.0%

Key Skills Required

Subject KnowledgeCommunicationClassroom ManagementPatienceOrganizationCreativity

Typical Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in education or subject area
  • State teaching certification
  • Background check

High School Teacher Career Progression

Teacher
Department Head
Assistant Principal
Principal
District Administrator

What Does a High School Teacher Do?

Planning and delivering lessons
Assessing student work and progress
Managing classroom behavior
Communicating with parents
Participating in school activities

Industries Hiring High School Teachers

Public SchoolsPrivate SchoolsCharter SchoolsOnline Education

Calculate Your Take Home Pay

Adjust the salary and see your personalized take-home pay calculation.

Your Income

Enter your salary details for 2025

$
$

✓ No state income tax

$0/yr

Pre-tax contribution (max $23,500 in 2025)

$0/yr

Pre-tax health savings (max $4,300 self / $8,550 family)

Take Home Pay

$51,855.50/year

83.6% of gross income

  • Gross Income$62,000.00
  • Taxable Income$47,000.00
  • Federal Tax-$5,401.50
  • State Tax (TX)-$0.00
  • Social Security-$3,844.00
  • Medicare-$899.00
  • Total Deductions-$10,144.50

16.4%

Effective Rate

12%

Marginal Rate

$62,000 Salary Insights

Compare your salary and understand your tax breakdown

$62,000 vs US Wages

Above US median

+4%

vs US Median

$2,460

Above Median

Where Your $62,000 Goes

Annual breakdown of your salary

Take Home83.6%
Federal Tax8.7%
Social Security6.2%
Medicare1.5%

401(k) Tax Benefits on $62,000

See how 401(k) contributions reduce your tax bill

Increase your 401(k) contribution to see potential tax savings. Max contribution for 2025 is $23,500.

High School Teacher Salary FAQ

What is the average High School Teacher salary in the US?

The average High School Teacher salary in the US is $62,000 per year. Salaries typically range from $45,000 for entry-level positions to $85,000 for senior roles.

How much does a High School Teacher earn in California?

A High School Teacher in California earns an average of $80,000 per year, which is 33% higher than the national average.

What is the take-home pay for a High School Teacher?

On the average High School Teacher salary of $62,000, you would take home approximately $51,856 per year ($4,321.29 per month) after federal income tax and FICA taxes.