Preschool, Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Special Education Teachers

How to become a Middle School Teacher

Official title: Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Also called: Art Teacher, English Teacher, Language Arts Teacher (LA Teacher), Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Middle School Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher (Physical Education Teacher), Science Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

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

Main tasks

Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Assign lessons and correct homework.
Assist students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.

How to become one

Middle school teachers typically need at least a bachelor's degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 47 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $64,370 a year The middle half earn $58,530 to $80,490.
About 630,100 people work in this job now, and about 627,400 are projected by 2035. (-0.4%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Middle School Teacher?

Middle school teachers typically need at least a bachelor's degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

How much does a Middle School Teacher earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $64,370 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $58,530 to $80,490.

Is a Middle School Teacher a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 630,100 people now and 627,400 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Middle School Teacher?

Usually. 95% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Middle School Teacher?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.