How much does a teacher make?
a year · about $32 an hour
A typical teacher in the United States makes $66,140 a year, about $32 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A teacher may start by getting a lesson or demonstration ready, then lead a class as learners follow along. Afterward, they may answer questions, check progress, and prepare for the next session.
Did you know? “All Other” is a catch-all for teaching jobs that don’t fit detailed job labels, so O*NET has no occupation-specific data for the group.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,010 and $118,020How do you become one?
In the U.S., BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical entry education for this broad group, but the jobs cover many subjects. Build expertise in what you teach, then meet the employer’s rules and any license or certificate required for that field.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can depend on experience, education, and useful licenses or certificates, as well as the subject or skill being taught. Location, employer or industry, and how many hours or which shifts someone works can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($100,610), lowest in Arkansas ($41,940).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a teacher averages $33,503. Teacher salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,010 | $66,140 | $118,020 | about 114,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $100,610 | about 830 |
| Kansas | $94,520 | about 720 |
| Maryland | $94,070 | about 5,000 |
| District of Columbia | $93,040 | about 1,000 |
| California | $87,460 | about 31,000 |
Official definition: All teachers and instructors not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-3099.00
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes253099.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/pdf/education-jobs-teaching-for-a-living.
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY