Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Massachusetts secondary school teachers earned a median annual wage of $88,990 in 2024, about 23% above the US median of $72,150. That is one of the larger state premiums we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners is notable but not extreme. Teachers at the 10th percentile earned $60,170, while those at the 90th earned $108,560. That is roughly an $48,000 gap. In most occupations, a spread that wide reflects differences in experience, specialization, or employer size. In public school teaching, the bigger driver is usually the district's pay scale and how many steps a teacher has climbed on it. A teacher in a well-funded suburban district with 20 years in the classroom will look very different in the data from one who started last fall.
Massachusetts has a cost-of-living index of 109.6, about 10% above the national baseline. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective premium over the national median shrinks from 23% to around 12%. Still a real advantage, just a smaller one than the headline wage suggests.
On the job-count side, BLS projects a slight decline for this occupation nationally between 2024 and 2034, at -1.6%. The outlook category is decline. That does not mean Massachusetts districts will shrink at the same rate. Enrollment trends, regional demographics, and state funding all vary. But the national projection is a reasonable backdrop to keep in mind.
About 29,100 secondary school teachers were employed in Massachusetts as of 2024.
Salary distribution
Where Massachusetts 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 $77,890 and $102,530, with a median of $95,260.
Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 35 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $69,984. 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 | 17 | $60,470 |
| Level II — qualified | 10 | $75,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $99,084 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $105,580 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Academy Charter School | Math Teacher | 2 | $64,865 |
| Pioneer Charter School of Science II | Computer Teacher | 2 | $84,500 |
| Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School | Chinese Immersion High School Teacher | 2 | $60,060 |
| Stoneleigh-Burnham School | Math Teacher | 2 | $51,600 |
| Trustees of the Cushing Academy | French Teacher (00085108) | 2 | $61,442 |
| Austin Preparatory School | Latin Faculty | 1 | $90,000 |
| Boston College High School | Chemistry Teacher | 1 | $105,580 |
| Boston Public Schools | Instructional Coach | 1 | $123,418 |
| Cape Cod Academy | Faculty (Spanish Teacher) | 1 | $72,177 |
| City of Boston Treasury Division | Visual Arts Teacher | 1 | $68,866 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Math Teacher at Deerfield Academy$56,000DeerfieldWage Level IDecided Feb 5, 2026I-200-26029-601968
- World Language Teacher at Hudson Public Schools$99,084HudsonWage Level IIIDecided Jan 21, 2026I-200-26013-554583
- Chinese Immersion High School Teacher at Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School$60,060HadleyWage Level IDecided Jan 16, 2026I-200-26009-547485
- Math Teacher at Excel Academy Charter School$64,730BostonWage Level IDecided Jan 15, 2026I-200-26008-544026
- Secondary School Teacher at Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists$68,295MattapanWage Level IDecided Dec 8, 2025I-200-25335-447036
- English Learner Teacher at Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District$114,179South YarmouthDecided Sep 22, 2025I-200-25258-309929
- High School History Teacher at Lynn Public Schools$70,524LynnDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-251415
- High School Math Teacher at Pioneer Charter School of Science II$95,000SaugusWage Level IIDecided Aug 19, 2025I-200-25224-236050
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 Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 8 certified offers. The most common variant is Spanish Teacher at a median of $60,470.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Teacher | Map Academy Charter School | 5 | $60,470 |
| Math Teacher | Deerfield Academy | 3 | $56,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts, by industry
Median offered wage across 35 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $70,524.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Excel Academy Charter School | 33 | $70,524 |
| Government and public sector | City of Boston Treasury Division | 1 | $68,866 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists | 1 | $68,295 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Massachusetts metropolitan areas.
- Boston$98,850
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Massachusetts with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts is $95,260.
- How does Massachusetts compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Massachusetts median is +27.7% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Massachusetts?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $61,500 and the 90th-percentile at $122,660, 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.