Secondary School Teachers in Wisconsin. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Wisconsin's median Secondary School Teacher earned $61,620 in 2024, about 15% below the national median of $72,150. That gap is real, though the state's lower cost of living closes some of it. Wisconsin's cost-of-living index sits at 92.7, meaning prices run roughly 7% below the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the median Wisconsin teacher wage lands closer to $66,500 in national-dollar terms, which narrows the gap to around 8%.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners is moderate. Teachers at the 10th percentile earned $46,740, while those at the 90th earned $83,760. The top of that range is less than twice the bottom, which is a tighter band than we see in many professional occupations. That reflects how public school pay tends to work: salary schedules tied to years of service and educational credentials compress the range compared to private-sector jobs.
The mean wage of $64,370 sits only modestly above the median, which tells us very few teachers in Wisconsin earn at levels high enough to pull the average up significantly. The distribution is fairly even.
On outlook, BLS projects employment for Secondary School Teachers to decline 1.6% nationally between 2024 and 2034. BLS classifies this as a decline. Wisconsin's 18,060 teachers in this category represent a substantial workforce, and regional demographic trends in the Midwest, including flat or falling school-age populations in parts of the state, are consistent with that national direction. The BLS projection covers the national picture; local figures will vary by district.
Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin 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 $58,910 and $77,420, with a median of $62,870.
Secondary School Teachers in Wisconsin: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 74 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $55,660. 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 | 66 | $55,660 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $60,145 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Wisconsin. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Board of School Directors | Science Teacher | 60 | $55,660 |
| Eau Claire Area School District | Math Teacher | 2 | $48,695 |
| Shawano School District | Teacher | 2 | $60,145 |
| Carmen High School of Science and Technology, Inc. | High School English Teacher | 1 | $50,000 |
| Carter's Christian Academy | Teacher | 1 | $57,336 |
| Community Christian School of Baraboo, Inc. | High School Math and Science Teacher | 1 | $50,000 |
| Heritage Christian Schools | Teacher | 1 | $55,660 |
| Heritage Christian Schools, Inc. | Teacher | 1 | $55,660 |
| Madison Country Day School, Inc | IB High School Math Teacher | 1 | $56,370 |
| Pius XI Catholic High School, Inc. | Theology Teacher | 1 | $55,660 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- High School English Teacher at Carmen High School of Science and Technology, Inc.$50,000MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2026I-200-26078-715549
- High School Math and Science Teacher at Community Christian School of Baraboo, Inc.$50,000BarabooWage Level IDecided Mar 23, 2026I-200-26075-706424
- Science Teacher at Milwaukee Board of School Directors$54,386MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Mar 6, 2026I-200-26059-671500
- Teacher at Shawano School District$60,145ShawanoWage Level IIDecided Feb 6, 2026I-200-26032-612206
- Social Studies Teacher at Milwaukee Board of School Directors$54,386MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Feb 4, 2026I-200-26028-596850
- Math Teacher at Milwaukee Board of School Directors$54,386MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Feb 4, 2026I-200-26028-596828
- Science Teacher at Milwaukee Board of School Directors$54,386MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Feb 4, 2026I-200-26028-596827
- Computer Science Teacher at Milwaukee Board of School Directors$54,386MilwaukeeWage Level IDecided Feb 4, 2026I-200-26028-596849
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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 52 certified offers. The most common variant is Science Teacher at a median of $55,660.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Teacher | Milwaukee Board of School Directors | 16 | $55,660 |
| Math Teacher | Milwaukee Board of School Directors | 9 | $55,660 |
| Spanish Teacher | Milwaukee Board of School Directors | 8 | $55,023 |
| Computer Science Teacher | Milwaukee Board of School Directors | 6 | $54,386 |
| ESL Teacher | Milwaukee Board of School Directors | 5 | $55,660 |
| Teacher | Shawano School District | 5 | $57,336 |
| Business Teacher | Milwaukee Board of School Directors | 3 | $58,410 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$75,370
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Wisconsin with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Wisconsin is $62,870.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Wisconsin median is -15.7% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Wisconsin?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,550 and the 90th-percentile at $83,340, 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.