📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Middle School Teachers Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Very High Demand
Average
$72,680
per year
Median
$68,590
per year
Hourly
$34.94
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,984
25th Percentile — Junior$59,998
50th Percentile — Median$68,590
75th Percentile — Senior$84,779
90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,196
💡 The top 10% of Middle School Teacherss earn $93,196 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $48,984, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$65.2k
2021
$66.6k
2022
$68.1k
2023
$69.6k
2024
$71.1k
2025
$72.7k
2026
📈 Middle School Teachers salaries have grown 2.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $7,493.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $112,654 | +55.0% | Very High |
| District of Columbia | $110,474 | +52.0% | Very High |
| California | $103,206 | +42.0% | Very High |
| New York | $100,298 | +38.0% | Very High |
| Alaska | $95,938 | +32.0% | Very High |
| Massachusetts | $94,484 | +30.0% | Very High |
| New Jersey | $93,030 | +28.0% | Very High |
| Washington | $90,850 | +25.0% | Very High |
| Connecticut | $88,670 | +22.0% | Very High |
| Maryland | $83,582 | +15.0% | Very High |
| Rhode Island | $83,582 | +15.0% | Very High |
| New Hampshire | $82,855 | +14.0% | Very High |
| Oregon | $81,402 | +12.0% | Very High |
| Colorado | $79,948 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Virginia | $79,948 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Vermont | $78,494 | +8.0% | Very High |
| Delaware | $76,314 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Illinois | $76,314 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Maine | $74,134 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Nevada | $74,134 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Minnesota | $72,680 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Utah | $72,680 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Arizona | $71,953 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Pennsylvania | $71,953 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Florida | $71,226 | -2.0% | Very High |
| Montana | $69,046 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Texas | $69,046 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Georgia | $67,592 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Idaho | $67,592 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Wyoming | $67,592 | -7.0% | Very High |
| North Dakota | $66,866 | -8.0% | Very High |
| Wisconsin | $66,866 | -8.0% | Very High |
| North Carolina | $66,139 | -9.0% | Very High |
| Michigan | $65,412 | -10.0% | Very High |
| Louisiana | $63,958 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Nebraska | $63,958 | -12.0% | Very High |
| New Mexico | $63,958 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Ohio | $63,958 | -12.0% | Very High |
| South Carolina | $63,958 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Tennessee | $63,958 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Alabama | $63,232 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Missouri | $63,232 | -13.0% | Very High |
| South Dakota | $63,232 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Iowa | $62,505 | -14.0% | Very High |
| Indiana | $61,778 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Kansas | $61,778 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Oklahoma | $61,051 | -16.0% | Very High |
| Arkansas | $60,324 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Kentucky | $60,324 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Mississippi | $58,144 | -20.0% | Very High |
| West Virginia | $56,690 | -22.0% | Very High |
What Factors Affect Middle School Teachers Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Middle School Teachers's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Middle School Teacherss typically earn $48,984–$59,998 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $84,779–$93,196 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Middle School Teachers role currently has very high demand in the job market with a 2.2% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Education sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Elementary School Teachers
$72,650/yr
+0.0% vs this role
Secondary School Teachers
$76,320/yr
+5.0% vs this role
Kindergarten Teachers
$67,350/yr
7.3% vs this role
Preschool Teachers
$42,520/yr
41.5% vs this role
Special Education Teachers
$72,280/yr
0.6% vs this role
Business Professors
$101,980/yr
+40.3% vs this role
Registered Nurses
$101,420/yr
+39.5% vs this role
Nurse Practitioners
$137,300/yr
+88.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Middle School Teachers?The average salary for a Middle School Teachers in the United States is $72,680 per year, with a median of $68,590.
-
What is the starting salary for a Middle School Teachers?Entry-level Middle School Teacherss typically earn between $48,984 and $59,998 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Middle School Teacherss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Middle School Teacherss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Middle School Teachers make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $72,680, a Middle School Teachers earns approximately $34.94 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Middle School Teachers a good career in 2026?Yes — the Middle School Teachers role has very high demand with 2.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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