Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

SOC: 25-2022 O*NET: 25-2022.00
Median Salary
$62,970
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
40.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

What does a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education do?

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$47,050
10th percentile
Early Career
$53,540
25th percentile
Median
$62,970
50th percentile
Experienced
$79,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$100,980
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$47,050
25th
$53,540
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,970
Mean: $70,040
75th
$79,380
90th
$100,980
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $53,930 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $53,540 and $79,380
  • Salary spread is 41.0% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 620,370 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:633,700

Top Industries

Educational Services11.6%
Elementary and Secondary Schools11.6%
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations0.1%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-2%
Annual Openings:40,500

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)633,700
Current
2034 (Projected)621,300
-2%
-12,400
Employment Change
-2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
75,640 jobs$61,7601.36x
California
46,530 jobs$96,8200.64x
New York
34,830 jobs$82,6200.91x
Florida
32,460 jobs$51,6800.82x
Ohio
26,780 jobs$66,7901.20x
Georgia
26,760 jobs$63,8801.37x
New Jersey
26,510 jobs$77,6301.55x
Pennsylvania
25,980 jobs$76,7401.07x
Illinois
24,230 jobs$64,8000.99x
Virginia
18,420 jobs$60,9301.13x
Massachusetts
16,480 jobs$84,2801.12x
North Carolina
15,430 jobs$50,3400.78x
Michigan
14,090 jobs$61,5600.80x
Colorado
13,680 jobs$61,8301.18x
Tennessee
12,650 jobs$58,1700.96x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Instructing
100%
#2
Learning Strategies
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Coordination
40%

Skills Overview

Instructing
advanced5.0
100%
Learning Strategies
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Instructing

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Learning Strategies

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Active Learning

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Monitoring

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Coordination

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education82%
5 shared skills
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Active Learning

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Apple macOS

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Zoom

🔥 Hot Tech

Facebook

🔥 Hot Tech

Google Docs

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Facebook
Google Docs
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (7)Training & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (3)General Responsibilities (5)
1

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Training & Development97% perform
3

Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Training & Development94% perform
4

Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Analysis & Evaluation91% perform
5

Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Communication & Coordination88% perform
6

Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Planning & Development85% perform
7

Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Planning & Development79% perform
9

Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform
10

Assign lessons and correct homework.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals typically have a SAC Holland code and highly value relationships

SSocial
AArtistic
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.80

Self-Control

Critical

Self-Control

Importance Level4.79

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.75

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.68

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.65

Stress Tolerance

Critical

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.53

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Concern for Others
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Social Orientation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Leadership
4.4
Persistence
4.4

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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