Education & Care

How to become a High School Teacher

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

2–4 years

Typical pay

$50k–$72k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   2–4 years

   Get a degree in your subject

   Secondary certification is subject-specific; the degree usually needs to match.

2. 2

   1–2 years

   Complete preparation and student teaching

   Alternative routes exist and are widely used in shortage subjects.

3. 3

   Pass the subject content exam

   Plus a pedagogy assessment in most states.

   ◆ State teaching licence (subject endorsement)

4. 4

   3–9 months

   Target a shortage subject

   Maths, science, and special education get hired fastest, sometimes with a bonus.

5. ✓

   Destination

   High School Teacher

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