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High School Science Teacher Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a High School Science Teacher in the United States is $63,875 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,395
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,464 to $72,523
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,806
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence High School Science Teacher Salaries

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

How Do High School Science Teacher Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract High School Science Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,723.
  • California: $70,454.
  • Massachusetts: $69,515.

Top Paying Cities for High School Science 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: $80,566
  • San Francisco: $79,684
  • Oakland: $78,004

What Skills Can Increase a High School Science Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.72% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Law Enforcement (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): Law enforcement is any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. Although the term encompasses entities such as courts and prisons, it is most frequently applied to those who directly engage in patrols or surveillance to dissuade and discover criminal activity, and those who investigate crimes and apprehend offenders, a task typically carried out by the police or another law enforcement organization. Furthermore, although law enforcement may be most concerned with the prevention and punishment of crimes, organizations exist to discourage a wide variety of non-criminal violations of rules and norms, effected through the imposition of less severe consequences.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 1.4% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.72%
Law Enforcement 2.15%
Pediatric 1.4%
See More Skills

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 High School Science Teacher's salary.

  • Coaching Others: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Pediatric: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching Others $86,870
36%
Pediatric $69,624
9%
Customer Service $68,985
8%
Get Latest Data

High School Science Teacher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For High School Science Teacher roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 18% above the average. Conversely, High School Science Teacher positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view High School Science Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a High School Science Teacher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$75,309$36.018%

How Education impacts a High School Science Teacher's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many High School Science Teachers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a High School Science Teacher with a Bachelor's Degree is between $51,103 and $58,374).

High School Science Teacher Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for High School Science Teacher
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 1.2%
Associates 1.2%
Bachelors 18.3%
Masters 53.7%
Doctorate 25.6%
View as Graph

High School Science Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a High School Science 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 September 01, 2026
$55,464
Average $63,875/year
$72,523
$4,622
Average $5,323/month
$6,044
$1,067
Average $1,228/week
$1,395
$27
Average $31/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,523 $6,044 $1,395 $35
Average $63,875 $5,323 $1,228 $31
25th Percentile $55,464 $4,622 $1,067 $27

Most common benefits for High School Science Teacher

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for High School Science Teacher

Here are companies hiring for High School Science Teacher and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about High School Science Teacher

1. What industry pays the highest salary for High School Science Teacher?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for High School Science Teacher roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

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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