Middle school teachers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$62,970
~$30/hr · ~$5,248/mo
US Jobs
634K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
6/10
Moderate
AI & Automation Risk
Moderate 6/10
Middle school teachers have high exposure because a significant portion of their workload—lesson planning, grading, and content creation—is digital and highly susceptible to AI automation. However, the core of the job requires physical presence for classroom management, emotional support for adolescents, and real-time interpersonal interaction, which provides a substantial buffer against full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CABEST VALUE | $105,100 | Average (99.6) | $105,503 |
| Visalia, CA | $103,560 | Average (101.5) | $102,050 |
| El Centro, CA | $100,680 | Average (100.2) | $100,528 |
| Kingston, NY | $99,090 | Average (99.6) | $99,514 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $97,590 | Average (98.9) | $98,690 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $105,610 | Above avg (107.4) | $98,315 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $104,990 | Above avg (107.3) | $97,810 |
| Modesto, CA | $101,900 | Above avg (105.1) | $96,930 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $93,940 | Average (100.9) | $93,079 |
| Salisbury, MD | $85,370 | Below avg (92.6) | $92,149 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $97,480 | Above avg (106.5) | $91,541 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $99,460 | Above avg (109.1) | $91,172 |
| Napa, CA | $101,430 | Above avg (111.8) | $90,703 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,590 | Above avg (113.1) | $89,856 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $87,920 | Average (97.9) | $89,782 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
-2% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$30/hr
Monthly Income
~$5,248/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)