Teacher Pay Ladder: Teaching Assistant to Teacher to Principal (BLS 2025 Wages)
School pay is mostly set by salary schedules, but the steps between jobs still matter a lot. Here is what each level paid in the May 2025 federal wage survey, and what it takes to move up.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching assistant | 1,420,350 | $27,150 | $36,780 | $50,040 | Some college, no degree | -0.3% |
| Elementary teacher | 1,388,390 | $47,960 | $63,970 | $104,340 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| High school teacher | 1,065,210 | $48,780 | $72,040 | $107,600 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Principal (K-12) | 328,330 | $76,280 | $105,870 | $167,770 | Master's degree | -0.3% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Teaching assistant to teacher
Teaching assistants earn a median of $36,780. Elementary teachers earn $63,970 and high school teachers $72,040. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says public school teachers need at least a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued certification or license; many states require high school teachers to have majored in a content area such as math or science.
Classroom pay range
Within teaching, the 10th to 90th percentile range for high school teachers runs from $48,780 to $107,600. Inside a district, pay usually follows a published salary schedule based on years of service and education credits, so where you sit on the schedule matters as much as the job title.
Teacher to principal
Elementary, middle and high school principals earn a median of $105,870. BLS says most schools require principals to have a master’s degree in education administration or leadership, plus teaching experience.
Where high school teachers earn the most
State medians for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 | 14,880 |
| California | $101,370 | 99,230 |
| New York | $97,070 | 70,660 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 | 28,460 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 | 4,910 |
How teachers raise their pay
- Lane changes. Most district schedules pay more for a master’s or a set number of graduate credits. Check your district’s schedule before choosing a program.
- Stipends. Coaching, department chair and summer school roles usually pay set stipends.
- State matters. The state table above shows how far apart medians are.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
A rule teachers should know: under federal overtime law, teachers employed by a school are exempt professionals with no minimum salary requirement at all, so the $684-a-week salary test doesn't apply to them. That's why extra-duty pay is set by district policy or contract, not by overtime law. See 29 CFR 541.303.