Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$79,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $72,040
State Rank
#9 of 51
44,670 employed here

How much do Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in Illinois?

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Illinois take home a median of $79,990 annually — roughly $38.46 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $72,040.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $49,020 while the top 10% make $135,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,330 and $104,670 a year.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,020$23.57
25th percentile (early career)$62,330$29.97
50th percentile (median)$79,990$38.46
75th percentile (experienced)$104,670$50.32
90th percentile (top earners)$135,960$65.37

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$102,670
2California$101,370
3New York$97,070
4Massachusetts$95,260
5Rhode Island$92,610

Working as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Illinois

Nationally, about 1,065,000 people work as Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($79,990) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in Illinois?
The median Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Illinois is $79,990 per year, or about $38.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,020 at the entry level to $135,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education about 11% more than the national median of $72,040. Illinois ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,990 a year. About 44,670 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.