How much does a history teacher make?
The median history teacher in the United States earns $81,500 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all history teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 25-1125.
History teacher salary range
Pay for history teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,730 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $158,140. The average (mean) wage of $93,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,730 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $62,370 | |
| Median (50th) | $81,500 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $106,770 | |
| 90th percentile | $158,140 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for history teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1125), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
History teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. History teachers earn the most in California at $121,020 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $47,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $121,020 | 1,680 |
| New Hampshire | $106,810 | 110 |
| Rhode Island | $106,240 | 150 |
| Arizona | $101,510 | 170 |
| New York | $101,180 | 1,780 |
| Massachusetts | $100,780 | 850 |
| New Jersey | $100,320 | 640 |
| Connecticut | $100,220 | 330 |
| Oregon | $97,680 | 170 |
| Montana | $92,550 | 60 |
| Maryland | $87,520 | 320 |
| Michigan | $86,230 | 380 |
| Maine | $85,950 | 100 |
| Illinois | $84,620 | 630 |
| Virginia | $82,930 | 810 |
| Wisconsin | $82,300 | 280 |
| Minnesota | $82,200 | 280 |
| Texas | $82,080 | 2,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,640 | 890 |
| New Mexico | $80,940 | 140 |
| Missouri | $80,430 | 390 |
| Vermont | $80,080 | 100 |
| Ohio | $79,870 | 500 |
| Indiana | $79,860 | 420 |
| Washington | $79,470 | 320 |
| Kansas | $79,380 | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $78,880 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $78,820 | 110 |
| Nevada | $78,620 | 90 |
| Utah | $78,110 | 160 |
| Colorado | $77,910 | 380 |
| Georgia | $77,500 | 620 |
| Iowa | $77,460 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $77,150 | 340 |
| North Carolina | $76,870 | 790 |
| Kentucky | $73,320 | 260 |
| Louisiana | $72,950 | 130 |
| Wyoming | $72,120 | 30 |
| Tennessee | $66,770 | 530 |
| Idaho | $66,240 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $65,600 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $65,370 | 30 |
| Alaska | $65,060 | 30 |
| West Virginia | $64,710 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $64,660 | 210 |
| Alabama | $61,000 | 390 |
| Hawaii | $50,150 | 150 |
| Florida | $49,250 | 630 |
| Arkansas | $47,570 | 460 |
State median wages for history teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1125), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for history teachers
The BLS projects employment of history teachers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 23,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 23,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for history teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a history teacher
The typical entry-level education for history teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a history teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $121,020) and the lowest (Arkansas, $47,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,860 people work as history teachers in the United States. At $81,500 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
History teacher salary FAQ
How much does a history teacher make an hour?
History teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $81,500.
What is the highest history teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of history teachers earn more than $158,140 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a history teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a history teacher is $81,500. The average (mean) wage of $93,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a history teacher a well paid job?
At $81,500 a year, a history teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,860 people work as history teachers in the United States.
Which state pays history teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for history teachers at $121,020 a year. New Hampshire ($106,810) and Rhode Island ($106,240) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a history teacher a good career?
Employment of history teachers is projected to hold roughly steady 0% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a history teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for history teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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