How Much Does a Middle School Teacher Make in South Carolina in 2025?

Middle school teachers are dynamic individuals who enjoy educating students who are transitioning from children to teenagers. It’s an exciting developmental phase as learners discover more about themselves and the world. As South Carolina’s teaching shortage worsens, there’s never been a better time to jump in and start helping inspire the next generation.

The average middle school teacher salary in South Carolina as of May 2022 was $55,780. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

In this guide, Teachers of Tomorrow will explore the salary ranges for educators in various types of South Carolina schools. We’ll also outline how to become a middle school teacher, including alternative teacher certification options.

A happy teacher inside the classroom

What Is a Middle School Teacher?

Middle school teachers educate students between fifth and eighth grade, and their students are generally between 11 and 14 years old. Teachers base their curriculums on the standards set by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). The core subjects are continued to be taught but in greater depth while additional subjects are introduced.

Middle school is a transitionary period in students’ lives, and this is reflected in how they are taught and how frequently they switch classes. Thus, the lower grades often have classroom styles similar to what they had in elementary school, and as they progress, it begins to resemble high school.

Thus, middle school teachers in fifth and sixth grades might have to teach a wider range of subjects and work with fewer students for a greater portion of the day. Middle school educators in seventh and eighth grade often teach much more specialized classes and work with many more students for shorter periods of the day.

There is no exact recipe for becoming a top middle school teacher. Those who are successful differ in personalities and teaching styles. However, there are some common characteristics found in those who personify teaching excellence, including:

Sense of humor: Middle schoolers like to make jokes and try to be witty. They’ll swing from sophisticated, dry observations to basic humor that even toddlers can appreciate. They also tend to be blunt. An excellent middle school teacher can embrace the wide range of humor tossed at them and throw in some of their own.
Adaptable: Middle schoolers’ brains and hormones are going through a massive transition, which creates incredible mood swings and drama. Teachers need to be able to adapt to the rapidly shifting emotional landscape of their classroom and students’ needs.
Active listening: Few things can frustrate middle schoolers more than thinking they’re not being heard. Active listening is a vital ingredient to effectively communicating with this unique age group. Those who do it well gain their students’ respect and have a more engaged classroom.

Middle school teachers have hectic schedules with many responsibilities. Their various role will include:

Preparing lesson plans and corresponding material that meet the state and federal guidelines and respect their students’ learning styles and needs.
Observe, evaluate, and record student progress and communicate it to necessary parties, such as parents, guardians, or relevant colleagues.
Facilitate a safe learning environment that is respectful and sensitive to the students’ diverse cultures, backgrounds, learning styles, and needs.

How Much Do Middle School Teachers Make in South Carolina?

The average annual salaries for middle school teachers in South Carolina as of May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Highest salary – $75,590
Average salary – $55,780
Lowest salary – $38,960

Middle school teaching salaries vary in South Carolina depending on the school’s location, a teacher’s qualifications, years of experience, and additional skills.

middle school teacher-south carolina

How To Become a Middle School Teacher in South Carolina

The process of becoming a middle school teacher depends on where you live in the United States. The SCDE oversees South Carolina’s pathways. The state’s traditional route to teaching middle school contains the following steps:

Obtain a bachelor’s degree. All US states require a bachelor’s degree to become a certified, full-time teacher. The traditional pathway involves selecting a degree centered around education. While those majoring in elementary can teach up to sixth grade, for those wishing to focus on grades 5-8, it is best to gain a degree geared towards middle or secondary school.
Complete a teacher preparation program: Many universities offer a teacher preparation program as part of the degree.
Gain Field Experience and Student Teaching Hours: South Carolina provides a one-year Internship Certificate to allow candidates to gain student teaching experience. To qualify, the candidate must undergo field experience and submit fingerprints for a background check. It will be performed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Pass the SCBE required exams: Middle school teachers must pass the relevant Praxis exams. Please note that subject-specific tests are required to be licensed in that particular area.
Apply for certification: The SCDE has two main certification options for those on the traditional pathway. The most common is the Initial Educator Certificate, valid for three years.

Note: In August 2022, a Provisional Initial Certificate was introduced to help ease the teaching shortage. It is for traditional candidates who have completed all their requirements except achieving a passing score on one or more required exams. It will only be issued at the request of a school district in need and comes with restrictions.

Both certification options require a background check, typically separate from the one done during student teaching.

Alternative Route to Certification for Middle School Teachers

The SCDE has alternative routes to certification for middle school teachers. The option means candidates with a four-year bachelor’s degree will not have to obtain another. Instead, they teach specific coursework through a state-approved provider and often are allowed to work for pay in the classroom as they complete the program.

South Carolina alternative route providers vary widely in cost, time frames, and certification and degree offerings. Thus, the steps required for an alternative route depend on the program. The following example is from the AAQEP-accredited South Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow program:

Apply. Be sure you have a four-year bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 GPA
Pre-Classroom Training: A self-paced process that takes 4-6 weeks. It involves:
Online coursework.
Online and in-classroom observation.
Passing the relevant Praxis Core Exams. (See The Learning Liaisons for exam prep resources.)
Apply to the SCDE for a Statement of Eligibility. The paperwork assures potential employers that the candidate has completed the necessary steps to be eligible for teaching employment.
Apply for a teaching position. Always take time to prepare for the interview.
Pass a background check. Candidates cannot apply for any type of certification without passing a background check. Fingerprints will be sent to the SLED and FBI.
Apply for an Alternative Route Teaching Certificate. The alternative certificate is valid for one year and can be renewed three times.
Complete Internship Year: Candidates will teach for pay while being provided support by an on-campus mentor and Field Supervisor. Candidates will be required to complete case studies and fieldwork in classroom management.
Teach for three years: Once candidates have completed three years of full-time teaching and met all necessary requirements, they can apply for a Professional Teaching License, valid for five years and renewable.

What is the Highest and Lowest Paying Middle School Teaching Job?

Certified South Carolina middle school teachers can choose to work for various types of schools. However, they don’t all pay the same.

Public schools: South Carolina public schools generally pay the highest salaries. However, the salary ranges vary significantly depending on the area of the state and the school district. Teachers with higher degrees and more years of experience will be paid on the higher end of the salary scale.
Charter schools: South Carolina charter pay the best for middle school teachers after public schools. While their elementary school salaries are low, they significantly increase for secondary education.
International schools: International schools often use global curriculums that are more intense in the upper grades. Thus, salaries for elementary are on the lower end and progressively increase with the grade levels. International immersion schools will often pay the best in the lower middle school grades if the teacher is fluent in the school’s foreign language, such as French.
Private schools: Private school salaries swing between the worst and best in South Carolina. Pay is highly dependent on the institution and the tuition fees. Acclaimed private schools in the cities or high-income suburbs generally have the best salaries.
Online teaching: Virtual teaching in South Carolina generally offers the greatest flexibility but the lowest pay for middle school educators.

salary south Carolina

At Teachers of Tomorrow, we look forward to assisting you on your path toward becoming one of the finest middle teachers in South Carolina. Join now! Begin making a difference in children’s lives today.