Middle School Teacher Salary in the United States

How much does a Middle School Teacher make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Middle School Teacher in the United States is $54,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a Middle School Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,163
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,490 to $61,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,933
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View as table View as graph 25% $46,490 10% $38,933 90% $68,163 75% $61,790 $54,790 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Middle School Teacher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,790 $5,149 $1,188 $30
Average $54,790 $4,566 $1,054 $26
25th Percentile $46,490 $3,874 $894 $22
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Key Factors That Influence Middle School Teacher Salaries

A Middle School Teacher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Middle School Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Middle School Teacher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $52,065
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,312
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,312
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,238
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,447
Levels Salary
Entry Level Middle School Teacher$52,065
Intermediate Level Middle School Teacher$52,312
Senior Level Middle School Teacher$55,312
Specialist Level Middle School Teacher$58,238
Expert Level Middle School Teacher$58,447
$52,065 0 yr
$52,312 < 2 yrs
$55,312 2-4 yrs
$58,238 5-8 yrs
$58,447 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Middle School Teachers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $69,190
  • San Francisco: $68,390
  • Oakland: $66,990

What Skills Can Increase a Middle School Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Learning Strategies (Mentioned in 8.62% Job Postings): A learning strategy is an individual's way of organizing and using a particular set of skills in order to learn content or accomplish other tasks more effectively and efficiently in school as well as in non-academic settings
  • Certification Programs (Mentioned in 5.17% Job Postings): A certificate program is a specialized education designed to develop or strengthen specific career skills. Considered as continuing education in some cases because it builds on your knowledge of a particular career or industry.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.72% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Learning Strategies 8.62%
Certification Programs 5.17%
CPR 1.72%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Middle School Teacher's salary.
  • Video Production: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Video Production
$65,748
20%
Collaboration
$56,982
4%
Coaching
$56,982
4%
Digital Photography
$56,434
3%
Adobe Premiere Pro
$56,434
3%
Initiative
$55,886
2%
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Middle School Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Middle School Teacher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Middle School Teacher

Salaries for a Middle School Teacher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,558 in 2023 to around $53,357 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Middle School Teacher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Middle School Teacher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,558
2024
$53,790
2025
$53,357
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,558
2024 $53,790
2025 $53,357
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Middle School Teacher

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Middle School Teacher

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FAQ about Middle School Teacher

1. What country pays teachers the most?

Teacher salaries vary significantly by country. In the U.S., for example, middle school teachers earn between $54,490 and $83,690, with a median salary of $67,290. Countries like Luxembourg and Switzerland are known for offering even higher salaries, making them some of the best-paying locations for teachers globally.

2. What is the salary of a middle school teacher in the USA?

Middle School Teachers in the USA earned a median salary of $67,290 in 2023. The top 25% earned up to $83,690, while the lowest 25% earned around $54,490.

3. What grade teachers get paid the most?

Middle School Teachers earn an average salary ranging from $54,490 to $83,690 annually, with a midpoint of $67,290. While high school teachers typically earn around $61,000, middle school teachers can earn more at the higher end of their salary range, making their compensation competitive within the education sector.

4. How much do 12th grade teachers make?

Middle school teachers earn between $54,490 and $83,690, with a median salary of $67,290. In comparison, high school teachers in states like California and New York earn significantly more, with average salaries of $105,540 and $96,400, respectively.

5. What is the highest paying job?

The highest paying job varies by field, but for educators, a Middle School Teacher earns between $54,490 and $83,690, with a median salary of $67,290. While teaching may not top the list of highest-paying professions, it offers a rewarding career dedicated to shaping young minds.

6. Is teaching a good paying job?

Teaching can be a rewarding career, but salary varies. For middle school teachers, the salary ranges from a minimum of $54,490 to a median of $67,290, with a maximum of $83,690. While it may not match the higher earnings of postsecondary educators, it offers stability and the chance to make a significant impact on students' lives.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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