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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