Do High School Teachers Make More Than Middle School?

Written by Mr Mustafa in Teachers' Lounge 

Whether you’re thinking of becoming a teacher or looking to teach at a different grade level, it’s crucial to consider annual earnings. But who earns more, high school or middle school teachers?

The average salary of a high school teacher is about $62,700, while the average salary of a middle school teacher is about $62,690. Consequently, high school teachers earn slightly more (on average) than middle school teachers. Education, experience, and location impact teacher salaries.

Continue reading to find out the factors that influence the salaries of middle school and high school teachers.

How Much Do High School Teachers Make Compared to Middle School Teachers?

If you need help deciding whether to teach high school or middle school students, familiarizing yourself with the average salaries of these positions is an important point to consider when making the right decision.

Let’s break down how much teachers earn while employed by these types of schools.

How Much Do High School Teachers Earn?

Salary.com states that high school teachers in the US earned an average of $62,700 in 2022. This is a slightly lower average than the one given by U.S. News & World Report for high school teachers in 2020, which was $62,870.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for high school teachers in 2021 was $61,820 per year. The lowest-paid instructors earned less than $42,000 annually, while the highest-paid high teacher earned about $100,000 annually.

Combining these various estimates, we can confidently state that the average annual pay for high school teachers is about $62,000.

How Much Do Middle School Teachers Earn?

The salary-tracking website Salary.com states that middle school teachers in 2022 earned an average of $62,690 annually. According to U.S. News & World Report, the average pay for middle school teachers in 2020 was $60,810.

Still, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook maintains that the average salary for middle school teachers in 2021 was $61,320 per year. The lowest-earning middle school teachers made less than $45,000, while the highest-earning instructors earned more than $99,000.

Using this information, we can estimate that the average annual salary for middle school teachers is about $61,000.

Who Earns More: High School Teachers or Middle School Teachers?

High school teachers typically earn more than middle school teachers. However, the salary for both positions is very similar, with most earning an average of between $61,000 and $62,000 annually.

But the national average isn’t the best source to rely on when estimating how much you might earn as a high school or middle school teacher. After all, several factors impact how much any given instructor earns.

Factors That Influence Teacher Salaries

Before you apply for a teaching position, you’ll want to consider the factors that can influence your salary. Doing so can help you select a position that suits your financial needs and negotiate an appropriate salary.

The most influential factors that impact an educator’s salary include:

  • Education level (degrees earned)
  • How long you’ve been teaching
  • Additional responsibilities held and job performance
  • Where you’re teaching
  • The grade levels you teach

Let’s briefly discuss these factors to discover how they affect a teacher’s annual salary.

Education Level

An instructor’s educational background can significantly impact how much they earn. Generally, the more degrees and certifications a teacher has, the more they can earn.

Nearly all teaching positions (elementary to high school and beyond) require a bachelor’s degree. Anything beyond this (a master’s degree or Ph.D.) is considered an advanced degree.

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) states that educators who hold advanced degrees earn, on average, $5,285 more than instructors that only have a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re looking to maximize your long-term earnings while teaching either middle school or high school, you might want to pursue an advanced degree before beginning your teaching career.

Years of Teaching Experience

The amount of time you’ve been teaching can also influence your annual pay.

First-time teachers with minimal experience typically earn less than experienced teachers with several years under their belts. As such, teaching either middle school or high school can become more profitable over time.

Additional Responsibilities Held and Job Performance

A teacher taking on additional responsibilities is likely to increase their earning potential.

Additional responsibilities like running after-school activities or serving as a subject lead show that you are willing to go above and beyond your regular job duties.

Likewise, evidence that points to effective work performance may also translate to a higher salary.

Teachers who receive remarkably positive feedback from classroom observations, or have a proven track record of demonstrating better-than-average student progress, are better placed when negotiating their salaries or asking for a raise.

Teaching Location

Where you decide to teach can also impact how much you earn. Some states and school districts pay their teachers far more than others.

For example, Mississippi has the lowest average teacher salary ($48,000 annually), and Arizona offers the lowest pay when adjusted for the state’s average cost of living.

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York are the highest-paying states for instructors, even after adjusting for these states’ average cost of living. If you’re prepared to move to better your career and financial prospects, consider teaching in these states.

But, of course, educational background, experience, and location aren’t the only factors influencing a teacher’s salary. Your chosen grade level also plays a part.

Chosen Grade Level

As we’ve established, high school teachers generally earn more than middle school teachers. But both high school and middle school teachers earn more (on average) than elementary school teachers and preschool instructors.

U.S. News & World Report states that preschool teachers earned an average of $31,930 annually in 2020. That’s almost half the median pay for elementary school teachers for the same year ($60,940 on average)!

Those looking to increase their earnings while teaching should teach higher grade levels. This means teaching at the high school or middle school level.

Are you interested in learning more about the differences in teacher salaries? This helpful video of teachers discussing their salaries illustrates how location, grade level, and experience influence annual pay:

Conclusion

High school teachers, on average, earn more than middle school teachers. Still, the average salary for both positions is about $61,000 to $62,000.

Generally, teacher salaries vary depending on the instructor’s education level, teaching experience, and location. The grade level you decide to teach can also impact your salary. For example, preschool teachers earn far less than middle or high school teachers.

Sources

Mr Mustafa

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