A secondary school teacher instructs students in specific subjects like math, science, or English. You shape young minds, manage classrooms, and help students develop critical thinking skills. Most positions require a bachelor's degree and state certification.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Secondary school teachers plan lessons, deliver instruction, and assess student learning in subjects like mathematics, science, literature, and social studies. You establish classroom routines, manage student behavior, and build relationships with learners. Your work includes grading assignments, providing feedback, and adjusting teaching strategies based on student progress. You also communicate with parents, collaborate with colleagues, and stay current with your subject matter. Much of your day involves speaking, listening, and working with computers to create materials and track student data.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn a median of $72,040 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 66,200 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree, typically in your subject area or in education. During your degree, you'll take courses in education and training, child psychology, and teaching methods. Most states require you to pass certification exams and complete student teaching before you can work in a public school. Some programs combine your bachelor's degree with teacher preparation, while others offer separate pathways after you complete your undergraduate studies. Check your state's specific requirements, as they vary.
Most teachers earn a bachelor's degree and complete state certification requirements. The timeline and specific steps depend on your state and whether you pursue a traditional or alternative route, so Pathly can map the secondary school teacher, except special and career/technical education path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the path that fits your situation.
You do not need a license to work as a secondary school teacher, except special and career/technical education, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to work that centers on people and helping others grow. You enjoy explaining ideas, listening carefully, and building strong relationships with students and colleagues.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).