Secondary School Teachers in Illinois. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Secondary School Teacher in Illinois earned $77,020 in 2024, about 7% above the national median of $72,150. The mean came in higher at $82,100, which tells us a smaller group of senior or more highly credentialed teachers pull the average up.
The gap between the lowest and highest earners is wide. The 10th-percentile wage was $47,520 and the 90th was $129,510. That spread reflects how much district, seniority, and union contract terms vary across the state. A first-year teacher in a rural downstate district sits in a very different pay band from a 20-year veteran in a Chicago-area suburban district.
Illinois has a cost-of-living index right at 99.5, essentially flat against the national baseline. That means the 7% nominal premium over the US median holds up in real terms. What the money buys here is roughly what it buys in the average US state, unlike in higher-cost states where a wage premium gets offset by housing and taxes.
On outlook, BLS projects employment in this occupation to decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, placing it in the decline category. That projection reflects national trends, primarily shifting enrollment patterns and school-age population changes in some regions. Illinois mirrors that national picture rather than bucking it.
Salary distribution
Where Illinois 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 $62,330 and $104,670, with a median of $79,990.
Secondary School Teachers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 45 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $64,305. 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 | 19 | $60,580 |
| Level II — qualified | 6 | $71,932 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Public Schools | Teacher (Math) | 9 | $80,342 |
| East Aurora School District 131 | Special Education Instructional Teacher | 7 | $61,466 |
| Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 | Bilingual Teacher | 2 | $90,643 |
| Dekalb Community Unit School District 428 | High School ESL Teacher | 2 | $59,490 |
| Lake Forest Academy | Instructor & Assistant Dean of Students | 2 | $57,840 |
| Lycee Francais de Chicago | Secondary School History and Geography Teacher | 2 | $71,932 |
| Lycee Francais de Chicago, Inc. | Secondary School Teacher | 2 | $68,014 |
| Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 | Bilingual Chemistry Teacher | 2 | $83,267 |
| Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD | Teacher | 1 | $70,743 |
| Chester Community Unit School District 139 | Secondary ESL Teacher | 1 | $67,163 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Bilingual Teacher at Belvidere Community Unit School District 100$94,325BelvidereDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726475
- Teacher (World Language - French) at Chicago Public Schools$111,206ChicagoDecided Feb 11, 2026I-200-26035-620519
- Biology Teacher at Concept Schools NFP$72,213ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Feb 6, 2026I-200-26030-609432
- Secondary School Teacher at Lycee Francais de Chicago, Inc.$69,489ChicagoWage Level IDecided Feb 5, 2026I-200-26029-600807
- Spanish 1 & 2 Teacher at Vandalia Community Unit School District 203$41,920VandaliaWage Level IDecided Feb 4, 2026I-200-26028-597859
- Spanish Teacher at Woodstock Community Unit School District 200$44,962WoodstockDecided Jan 13, 2026I-200-26006-537829
- Teacher (Math) at Chicago Public Schools$76,711ChicagoDecided Dec 3, 2025I-200-25329-437578
- Teacher at North Chicago Community Unit School District 187$63,101North ChicagoDecided Oct 1, 2025I-200-25267-331715
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.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in Illinois
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 Illinois
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 20 certified offers. The most common variant is Teacher at a median of $80,099.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | Chicago Public Schools | 13 | $80,099 |
| Special Education Instructional Teacher | East Aurora School District 131 | 7 | $61,466 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Secondary School Teachers in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 45 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $64,193.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Chicago Public Schools | 44 | $64,193 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Chicago Hope Academy | 1 | $1,716,520 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois 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.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Illinois
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$98,970
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Illinois with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Illinois is $79,990.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Illinois median is +7.2% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $49,020 and the 90th-percentile at $135,960, 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.