A career in education is uniquely challenging and rewarding. School teachers are tasked with preparing their students with the knowledge they will need for their future. On this page, you will learn more about teacher personality attributes, key information for 35 teaching-related careers, salary information by state, and more.

Table of Contents

Qualities of a Good Teacher

Careers in education can be rewarding because educators can make positive impacts that may last for their students’ lifetimes. Here is a list of some attributes common among successful educators:

  • Patience and empathy: Understanding the diverse backgrounds and learning approaches of students, showing patience and empathy toward student needs.
  • Passion for teaching and learning: Genuine enthusiasm and passion for education, inspiring students to engage in the learning process.
  • Effective communication skills: Ability to explain concepts clearly and communicate with students, parents, and colleagues effectively.
  • Strong planning and organizational skills: Ability to develop lesson plans, organize materials, and manage time effectively to cover the required curriculum.
  • Strong knowledge of subject matter: Mastery of the content they teach, staying updated with current information and methodologies.
  • Classroom management skills: Ability to maintain a positive, safe, and productive learning environment for all students.
  • Technology proficiency: Familiarity with educational technology and the ability to integrate it effectively into the classroom to enhance learning.
  • Cultural competency: Understanding and respecting cultural differences.
  • Collaboration and teamwork: Ability to work effectively with other teachers, administrators, and parents.

Benefits of Being a Teacher

There are many benefits of a K-12 teaching career.

  • Personal fulfillment: Finding satisfaction in students’ learning and success.
  • Variety in daily work: Each day brings new challenges and opportunities.
  • Creativity: Designing your own lesson plans and teaching methods.
  • Social interaction: Engaging with students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Excellent benefits: Usually includes health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacations.
  • Schedule flexibility: Summer vacation and other school breaks.
  • Job security and pay increases: Holding multiple credentials in in-demand subjects can also lead to a higher salary, greater job satisfaction, and job security for teachers.
  • Career advancement opportunities: Paths to administrative roles, curriculum development, and specialization.

Top Challenges of Teaching

The benefits of teaching can be offset by a few key challenges.

  • Classroom management and student behavior: Balancing discipline with support while managing diverse behavioral issues.
  • Workload and time management: Handling extensive responsibilities including lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks. Hours often extend past 40 per week.
  • Adapting to diverse learning needs: Meeting the individual educational needs of students with varying learning styles and abilities.
  • Salary: Payscale reports averages range from $50,117 (elementary ed.) to $56,051 (secondary special ed.), though location, educational qualifications, and tenure can impact pay.1
Teacher Quote: “Teaching can be one of the most rewarding and energizing careers. Never lose sight of the kids who drew you to this career. When we forget the human aspect of teaching and get bogged down by the pressures of testing, standards, and curriculum, we are forgetting about the needs of our learners. Let your dedication to helping your students succeed drive your energy for the rest. If you do this, you will have a fantastic and wildly exciting road ahead of you.” –Krista Wallden, Delaware Third Grade Teacher

Teacher and Educator Careers and Salaries

This table compares 35 teaching-related careers and includes grade level, minimum education required, typical education achieved, average teacher salary, and national employment estimates. Note that salaries can vary based on the grade level taught and other factors, but grade-level data is not available for all teaching specialties.

Job TitleGrade LevelMinimum Education NeededTypical Degree AchievedAvg. Salary
1,2		US Employment
2
Administrators (School)PreK-12Master’sMA/MS, Education Administration$113,360319,630
Adult & Continuing Education TeachersPostsecondaryBachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS + Work Experience$64,660N.Av.
Art TeachersK-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Art + Teacher Prep$52,538N.Av.
Business Teachers9-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS + Work Experience$73,700N.Av.
CounselorsPreK-12Master’sMA/MS, School Counseling$71,520342,350
Curriculum and Instruction SpecialistsK-12Master’sMA/MS, Curriculum and Instruction$77,600210,850
Early Childhood EducatorsBirth-Grade 3Associate to Bachelor’sBA/BS, Early Childhood Education$46,680559,490
Educational Technology SpecialistsK-12Master’sMA/MS, Educational Technology$59,326N.Av.
Elementary School Teachers1-5Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Elementary Education$69,7901,393,310
English Teachers6-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, English + Teacher Prep$73,700N.Av.
ESL TeachersPre-K-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, ESL + Teacher Prep$64,660N.Av.
Foreign Language Teachers6-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Foreign Languages + Teacher Prep$73,700N.Av.
History Teachers6-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, History + Teacher Prep$73,700N.Av.
Kindergarten TeachersKBachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Early Childhood Education$67,020114,410
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special EducationK-6Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Special Education$70,150231,570
LibrariansK-12Master’sMA/MS, Library Science$69,180N.Av.
Math Teachers6-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Math + Teacher Prep$73,700N.Av.
Middle School Teachers6-8Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS in Subject + Teacher Prep$70,040620,370
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education (CTE)6-8Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, CTE + Work Experience$68,69014,200
Middle School Teachers, Special Education6-8Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Special Education$72,31095,330
Music TeachersK-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Music + Teacher Prep$51,564N.Av.
Physical Education TeachersK-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Physical Education$54,289N.Av.
Preschool TeachersPreKAssociateAA/AS or BA/BS, Early Childhood Education$41,450445,080
Preschool Teachers, Special EducationPreKBachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Special Education$72,61028,200
PrincipalsPreK-12Master’sMA/MS, Education Administration$99,904N.Av.
Reading SpecialistsK-12Master’sBachelor’s to MA/MS, Reading Specialist$61,343N.Av.
Science Teachers6-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Science + Teacher Prep$73,700N.Av.
Secondary School Teachers9-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS in Subject + Teacher Prep$73,7001,072,540
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education (CTE)9-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Special Education$70,550104,450
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education9-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS, Special Education$74,610162,780
Substitute TeachersPreK-12Associate to Bachelor’sBA/BS in Subject$44,930481,300
Teaching AssistantsPreK-12AssociateAA/AS, Teacher’s Aide$37,1401,530,310
TEFL TeachersPreK-PostsecondaryAssociate to Bachelor’sBA/BS in Subject$64,660N.Av.
Vice PrincipalsPreK-12Bachelor’s to Master’sMA/MS, Education Administration$81,432N.Av.
Vocational Teachers6-12Bachelor’s to Master’sBA/BS + Work Experience$69,620229,800

For Bilingual Teachers, see ESL or Foreign Language Teachers. Also see our guide for prospective Gifted and Talented Teachers. For more in-depth information, see our Guide on How to Become a Teacher for an overview of teaching careers.

50+ Teacher Career Interviews

Our teacher interviews feature over 50 teachers who share the lessons they have learned during their careers, as well as advice for new teachers who are embarking on teaching careers.

Teacher Quote: “Teacher librarians in California have very strict degree requirements, as they need a single and/or multiple subject credential and a librarian credential. This differs in each state, but most require something similar. And we cannot overlook the impact the shift to Common Core is having in many states.” –Dr. Mary Ann Harlan, lecturer at the San Jos State University School of Information

Teacher Blogs

Our Teacher Blogs by Innovative Educators page is a resource for prospective teachers to find the best blogs written by teachers. These educators share what it’s like to work as a teacher, the top education issues being discussed by the teaching community, and the latest trends and ideas in effective teaching. Teachers from various areas of education share their experiences, along with ideas on providing the best education for young people and adults.

Teacher Quote: “I recommend furthering one’s education by going on to earn additional degrees, participating in Professional Learning Communities and other types of professional development. I look for professional development opportunities in my own system as well as opportunities from other reputable organizations.” –Marla Vaughn, President of the Alabama Conference of Educators

Best States to Be a Teacher Index

The sortable table below will help you learn about teacher salary by state, state-level teacher hiring outlooks, and our view of the best states to be a K-12 teacher. Data for all K-12 teaching positions are summed in the table below to create the total and projected K-12 teacher counts for the US and by state. For average teacher salary, we used government-sourced information for elementary school teachers (the most common teacher type). To analyze how far that salary will go, we compared it to each state’s median house value from Zillow. We also factored in the growth rate in the total number of teachers from 2022 to 2032 to ultimately derive the ranking of the best states in which to be a teacher. At the top of the table in a gray box below the top row, the US average can be found as a broad point of comparison.

RankStateUS Average2024 Avg.
Elementary
Teacher
Salary*$70,138		2025
Zillow
Home Value
Index**$360,727		% of Median
Home Avg.
Salary Buys
(Higher =
Better)19%		2022 Total
K-12 Teachers
(all categories)
Employed***3,246,400		Projected
K-12 Teachers
(all categories)
employment
in 2032*** 3,273,100		10-year
growth
(2032 versus
2022)***1%		Best States
for K-12
Teachers
(Avg=1)1
1Illinois$70,470$165,51743%129,720133,2503%1.51
2New York$91,990$255,46136%203,340234,66015%1.43
3Ohio$68,880$199,40535%126,690134,7206%1.36
4West Virginia$52,970$161,40833%13,07013,5103%1.31
5Pennsylvania$71,000$224,47532%122,230128,7205%1.29
6Mississippi$49,400$158,37831%27,58029,7608%1.29
7Oklahoma$52,310$167,68231%36,34038,8507%1.28
8Arkansas$54,400$169,58832%30,54031,4303%1.28
9Louisiana$55,940$175,04932%43,12044,0902%1.28
10Georgia$69,120$231,33830%102,700112,97010%1.28
11Texas$60,510$218,97428%294,890334,16013%1.25
12Kansas$54,280$188,41929%31,69033,3105%1.23
13Michigan$66,520$231,56129%68,45069,8302%1.22
14Kentucky$56,880$203,07528%35,19037,0705%1.21
15Iowa$55,580$209,55427%43,65046,4406%1.20
16Alabama$56,220$211,67927%52,46055,2605%1.19
17New Mexico$69,150$264,81126%16,14017,4708%1.19
18Indiana$58,720$218,02527%61,01062,4702%1.18
19Missouri$54,470$212,30826%60,43063,8606%1.17
20Nebraska$59,590$241,67725%21,61023,2908%1.16
21Minnesota$70,160$282,67725%51,26054,5707%1.16
22Virginia$68,510$299,96723%76,53087,27014%1.15
23Washington$93,080$466,20720%61,14075,48024%1.14
24South Carolina$58,650$262,60522%41,10045,06010%1.11
25Maryland$73,620$341,39222%61,42067,1009%1.11
26Tennessee$55,800$270,70321%61,12068,14012%1.10
27Wisconsin$65,220$299,57922%69,33072,5705%1.09
28North Dakota$57,610$287,58420%7,8808,85012%1.08
29Delaware$68,680$391,76318%11,02012,20011%1.03
30Connecticut$82,420$445,93519%40,45043,1307%1.03
31Alaska$77,460$385,85820%4,5604,6101%1.03
32Florida$58,870$349,89117%159,170178,50012%1.02
33Oregon$75,030$441,54017%25,64028,56011%1.02
34North Carolina$51,890$287,18418%108,790116,4207%1.02
35Maine$63,610$354,53318%15,61016,1003%0.99
36Vermont$64,950$379,48217%7,9708,5207%0.99
37South Dakota$50,360$298,42017%9,2909,8907%0.99
38New Jersey$79,730$458,77417%98,220104,5406%0.99
39Utah$65,240$523,93712%28,72036,00025%0.99
40Nevada$63,230$441,03114%20,47023,58015%0.98
41New Hampshire$67,900$418,56516%13,44014,2106%0.97
42Rhode Island$78,720$502,80116%9,4809,9505%0.96
43Arizona$58,660$362,49616%54,57056,5704%0.96
44Idaho$59,540$468,70013%16,32018,75015%0.95
45Wyoming$62,500$454,81114%5,9206,53010%0.95
46Washington DC$90,700$626,09015%8,0808,5906%0.95
47California$93,150$604,06215%303,000315,8004%0.94
48Colorado$65,410$597,88311%66,59077,13016%0.92
49Massachusetts$84,050$690,67412%67,02073,67010%0.91
50Montana$58,300$478,64812%9,3909,7304%0.87
51Hawaii$61,040$851,0157%14,91015,5704%0.77

See table notes at bottom of page.

Teacher Quote: “Our greatest work is done behind the scenes, but the school day and our salary is based around when we are ‘performing’. It’s challenging to create high-quality lessons that engage students and give students opportunities to learn, but it is even more challenging to do that on a daily basis.” –Elissa Miller, Illinois High School Math Teacher

Teaching Careers Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment for K-12 teachers is projected to decline by 1.8% through 2034.3 Teacher salaries vary widely based on location, grade level, subject area, and teacher experience. Many educators also pursue advanced degrees or transition into administrative roles to expand their career opportunities.

According to recent National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data, overall enrollment in elementary and secondary schools is projected to decline through 2031, with decreases expected in both public and private schools.4 As student numbers fall, student-to-teacher ratios are expected to improve over the next decade, in part because the teacher workforce is projected to shrink more slowly than the student population.4 Even with declining enrollment overall, many districts continue to face persistent shortages in specialized areas such as math, science, ESL, and special education, where qualified teachers remain in demand and may see stronger employment prospects and, in some cases, higher salaries.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Should I become a teacher? How do I decide which teaching career is right for me?

Answer: A career in teaching isn’t right for everyone. In order to succeed as a teacher you should have a real love of learning and be able to work with children in the age group(s) you prefer. Arranging a classroom-based observation or internship can help you decide if you’re truly interested in teaching. Becoming a teacher assistant is also a great way to introduce yourself to the profession.

Question:What degree do you need to be a teacher?

Answer: In order to teach in public schools, you must become certified or licensed by your state, which requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Private schools are not required to hire teachers with a bachelor’s degree, but typically candidates who have this qualification are preferred. If you already have a bachelor’s degree but did not take courses in teaching or education, you may need to return to school to complete a teacher preparation program.

Question: How long does it take to become a teacher?

Answer: The time it takes to become a teacher depends on your previous education. If you do not have a college degree, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in education in four years of full-time study. With an associate’s degree, you may be able to complete a bachelor’s degree in education in as little as two years. Those who already have a bachelor’s degree may be eligible for alternative certification programs, which can be completed in as little as one year.

Best States to Be a Teacher Index Table Notes:
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm
**Zillow, US Home Prices & Values (all home type composites), December 2025: https://www.zillow.com/research/data/
***Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm

References:
1. Payscale Average Salaries: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2024 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/000000
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, Employment Projections, Occupational projections and worker characteristics: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm
4. National Center for Educational Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics to 2031: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/PES/current_tables.asp
5. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports