Secondary School Teachers in Montana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Montana's Secondary School Teachers recorded a median annual wage of $58,730 in 2024, about 19% below the US median of $72,150. That gap is one of the larger state-level shortfalls we see for this occupation.
The mean wage of $57,760 lands slightly below the median, which is the opposite of what we see in most professional occupations. It suggests Montana's highest-earning teachers are not pulling the average up the way top earners do in higher-paying states. The p10 to p90 range runs from $37,460 to $77,930, a spread of about $40,000. For context, a teacher at the 90th percentile earns roughly twice what one at the 10th percentile does.
Montana's cost of living sits just below the national baseline, at an index of 96.8. That trims the nominal gap somewhat. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective median lands closer to $60,700 in national-baseline dollars, narrowing the headline shortfall by a few thousand dollars. The deficit is smaller in real terms, though still meaningful.
On outlook, BLS projects employment for this occupation to decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, placing it in the decline category. That is a national projection, not a Montana-specific figure, but it sets the backdrop. Montana has roughly 3,550 Secondary School Teachers employed, a relatively small base compared to more populated states, which makes the occupation's local numbers more sensitive to enrollment and district-funding shifts than they might appear in aggregate data.
Salary distribution
Where Montana 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 $47,420 and $74,470, with a median of $60,990.
Secondary School Teachers in Montana: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 10 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $44,340. 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 | $43,671 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $47,363 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $61,353 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Montana. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockwood School District 26 | English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher, Grades 9-12 | 3 | $44,340 |
| County of Fergus School Dis. No.44. | English Teacher | 2 | $43,682 |
| Jordan Public Schools | 8-12 Math Teacher | 2 | $41,257 |
| Brockton School District 55 -55F | English Language Arts Teacher | 1 | $54,634 |
| NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBAL SCHOOL | SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER | 1 | $39,510 |
| West Yellowstone School District | Secondary School Teacher | 1 | $61,353 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- 8-12 Math Teacher at Jordan Public Schools$39,510JordanWage Level IDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-724806
- English Language Arts Teacher at Brockton School District 55 -55F$54,634BrocktonWage Level IDecided Mar 9, 2026I-200-26061-672717
- Secondary School Teacher at West Yellowstone School District$61,353West YellowstoneWage Level IIIDecided Jan 16, 2026I-200-26009-546606
- English Teacher at County of Fergus School Dis. No.44.$47,363MooreWage Level IIDecided Sep 24, 2025I-200-25260-315506
- English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher, Grades 9-12 at Lockwood School District 26$44,340LockwoodWage Level IDecided Sep 5, 2025I-200-25240-272415
- High School English Teacher at Lockwood School District 26$44,340LockwoodWage Level IDecided Aug 29, 2025I-200-25234-260382
- High School Math Teacher at Lockwood School District 26$44,340LockwoodWage Level IDecided Aug 28, 2025I-200-25233-257192
- SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER at NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBAL SCHOOL$39,510BUSBYWage Level IDecided Aug 25, 2025I-200-25230-248081
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 Montana
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.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Montana 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Montana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Montana is $60,990.
- How does Montana compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Montana median is -18.2% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Montana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $38,120 and the 90th-percentile at $81,270, 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.