Secondary School Teachers in Virginia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Secondary School Teachers in Virginia was $63,760 in 2024, about 12% below the US median of $72,150. That gap is notable given Virginia's cost of living index of 102.3, which sits just above the national baseline. The state's pay disadvantage is real before cost adjustment and stays real after it.
The spread across the pay range is wide. A teacher at the 10th percentile earned $48,670. One at the 90th percentile earned $103,740, more than twice as much. That ratio reflects how much seniority, district, and subject area matter in this occupation. Two teachers in the same state can be in very different financial situations depending on where and how long they have worked.
The mean wage of $71,260 runs about $7,500 above the median. That gap tells us a portion of teachers at the upper end of the range pull the average up, which is common in occupations where experience and advanced credentials carry real salary weight.
On employment, Virginia had 28,580 Secondary School Teachers in 2024. BLS projects the occupation will decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, placing it in the decline category nationally. That does not mean Virginia will see identical trends, but it is the direction the national projection points.
For anyone reading the headline median, the comparison worth keeping in mind is the $8,390 gap between Virginia and the national figure. Cost of living here sits close enough to the US average that it does not close much of that difference.
Salary distribution
Where Virginia 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 $60,250 and $83,820, with a median of $72,170.
Secondary School Teachers in Virginia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 95 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $51,380. 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 | 81 | $51,071 |
| Level II — qualified | 9 | $60,207 |
| Level III — experienced | 4 | $72,710 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $61,869 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Virginia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| INCLUSIVENESS | TEACHER | 15 | $46,800 |
| Portsmouth Public Schools | High School Teacher | 12 | $61,758 |
| Portsmouth City Public Schools | Teacher | 11 | $51,380 |
| EDU INFOTECH INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES INC | TEACHER | 7 | $47,100 |
| Southampton County Public Schools | TEACHER | 7 | $46,800 |
| Westmoreland County School Board | Teacher | 5 | $47,170 |
| Waynesboro City Public Schools | Math Teacher | 4 | $58,011 |
| Greensville County Public Schools | Teacher | 3 | $46,750 |
| Halifax County Public Schools | Spanish Teacher | 3 | $57,585 |
| The School Board of the City of Petersburg | Math Teacher | 3 | $59,626 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Math Teacher at Appomattox Regional Governor's School$56,903St. PetersburgWage Level IDecided —I-200-26084-729201
- Secondary School ESL Teacher at Lynchburg City Public Schools$69,326LynchburgWage Level IIDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-708128
- Spanish Teacher at Halifax County Public Schools$57,585South BostonWage Level IDecided Mar 4, 2026I-200-26056-662810
- Teacher at Westmoreland County School Board$47,170MontrossWage Level IDecided Feb 25, 2026I-200-26049-648486
- Biology Teacher at The School Board of the City of Petersburg$75,559PetersburgWage Level IIDecided Feb 24, 2026I-200-26048-646085
- World Languages Teacher at Newport News Public Schools$82,922Newport NewsWage Level IDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26047-643381
- Spanish Teacher at Halifax County Public Schools$59,271South BostonWage Level IDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26047-642687
- Math Teacher at Lancaster County Public Schools$53,127LancasterWage Level IIDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26044-639454
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 Virginia
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 Virginia
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 78 certified offers. The most common variant is TEACHER at a median of $47,050.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEACHER | INCLUSIVENESS | 52 | $47,050 |
| Math Teacher | Waynesboro City Public Schools | 12 | $57,422 |
| High School Teacher | Portsmouth Public Schools | 9 | $61,758 |
| Spanish Teacher | Halifax County Public Schools | 5 | $57,585 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Secondary School Teachers in Virginia, by industry
Median offered wage across 95 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $51,380.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | INCLUSIVENESS | 92 | $51,380 |
| Nonprofit and civic | POTOMAC CONFERENCE CORPORATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS | 2 | $50,297 |
| Technology and software | ZREYA TECH INC | 1 | $60,207 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Virginia 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 Virginia
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Virginia metropolitan areas.
- Virginia Beach$76,790
- Richmond$62,000
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Virginia with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Virginia is $72,170.
- How does Virginia compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Virginia median is -3.2% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $49,900 and the 90th-percentile at $107,930, 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.