Secondary School Teachers in Colorado. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Colorado's median secondary school teacher salary was $63,660 in 2024, about 12% below the national median of $72,150. That gap is notable for a state with a cost of living index of 103, essentially flat with the national average. Most states that pay below the national median do so alongside lower costs. Colorado does not get that offset.
The spread between the bottom and top of the pay range is wide. Teachers at the 10th percentile earned $47,850. Those at the 90th earned $97,760, roughly twice as much. That gap reflects real differences: years of service, district size, subject area, and whether a teacher holds a master's degree or additional certifications. Entry-level pay in many Colorado districts sits close to the national floor for this occupation.
The mean annual wage of $69,030 runs above the median by about $5,400. A smaller group of veteran teachers in higher-paying districts pulls the average up, so the median is the more useful benchmark for most people in this role.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to decline 1.6% from 2024 to 2034. That is an unusual outlook for a public-sector profession. Falling school-age enrollment in parts of the state, combined with district budget pressure, drives the projection. Openings will still appear each year as teachers retire or leave the classroom, but net job growth is not expected over the decade.
Salary distribution
Where Colorado secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,860 and $83,790, with a median of $72,900.
Secondary School Teachers in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 90 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $67,758. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 8 | $50,504 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $57,301 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $89,652 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $76,345 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Public Schools District 1 | Mathematics Secondary Teacher | 66 | $74,105 |
| Adams County School District 14 | Dual Language Middle School Math Teacher | 3 | $89,657 |
| Adams County 14 School District | Science Teacher (Secondary/Bilingual) | 2 | $75,335 |
| Denver School of Science and Technology, Inc. | Spanish Teacher | 2 | $58,000 |
| Garfield School District Re-2 | Spanish Teacher | 2 | $44,790 |
| Roaring Fork School District RE-1 | English Language Development Teacher | 2 | $68,713 |
| Arapahoe County School District 26 | Middle/High School Spanish Teacher | 1 | $60,952 |
| BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-6J | SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER | 1 | $38,570 |
| Committee for Catholic Secondary Education in Colorado Springs | Teacher-Minister | 1 | $45,000 |
| Eagle County School District RE 50-J | Bilingual High School Language Teacher | 1 | $57,325 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- ELD & Spanish Teacher at Telluride School District R-1$59,398TellurideDecided Mar 23, 2026I-200-26075-706129
- Language Arts Teacher (High School) at Harrison School District Two$53,522Colorado SpringsWage Level IIDecided Mar 20, 2026I-200-26074-703858
- Secondary ELA-S Language Arts at Denver Public Schools District 1$70,506DenverDecided Mar 18, 2026I-200-26070-695250
- Secondary Teacher (Foreign Language) at Jefferson County Public School District R1$60,661LakewoodDecided Mar 18, 2026I-200-26070-696030
- ELA-S Secondary Teacher at Denver Public Schools District 1$60,898DenverDecided Mar 18, 2026I-200-26070-695265
- High School Math Teacher at Estes Park School District R-3$64,000Estes ParkWage Level IIDecided Mar 17, 2026I-200-26069-691833
- Teacher, Secondary Math at Denver Public Schools District 1$87,936DenverDecided Mar 4, 2026I-200-26056-663441
- Teacher, Secondary Math at Denver Public Schools District 1$94,745DenverDecided Mar 4, 2026I-200-26056-663444
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in Colorado
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 51 certified offers. The most common variant is Mathematics Secondary Teacher at a median of $74,105.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Secondary Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 10 | $74,105 |
| Science Secondary Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 9 | $90,704 |
| Spanish Teacher | Denver School of Science and Technology, Inc. | 6 | $58,000 |
| Secondary Math Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 5 | $55,257 |
| ELA-S Language Arts Secondary Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 4 | $74,236 |
| Foreign Language: Spanish Secondary Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 4 | $87,280 |
| Secondary Science Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 4 | $77,949 |
| 7-12 Science Teacher | Adams County 14 School District | 3 | $84,400 |
| Math Secondary Teacher | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 3 | $82,769 |
| Secondary ELA-S Language Arts | Denver Public Schools District 1 | 3 | $57,666 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Secondary School Teachers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in Colorado
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$79,230
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Colorado with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Colorado is $72,900.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Colorado median is -2.3% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,970 and the 90th-percentile at $101,300, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.