{"id":46505,"date":"2024-08-11T11:31:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-11T16:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=46505"},"modified":"2024-11-28T02:23:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T08:23:28","slug":"how-much-does-a-high-school-teacher-make-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-much-does-a-high-school-teacher-make-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does a High School Teacher Make in Virginia? [2025 Guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A teaching career is one of the most fulfilling professions because of the joy that comes from helping students achieve their potential and witnessing their growth. Teaching is also a flexible career as teachers enjoy summers off and holiday breaks, allowing for a work-life balance that supports personal well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia provides a rich history, top-notch education system, and a vibrant job market making it an attractive place for educators. The state is committed to education as is evident in its public schools and numerous higher education institutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average annual salary of a high school teacher in Virginia is $72,020. Salaries can differ based on multiple factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, we\u2019ll discuss high school teacher salaries in Virginia and the factors that influence them. We&#8217;ll also provide insights on how to become a high school teacher in Virginia and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/alternate-teacher-certification\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alternative certification programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-365083\" src=\"\/media-tx\/High_School_Teacher_Virginia.jpg\" alt=\"Teacher explaining material to students at lesson\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is a High School Teacher?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high school teacher teaches students in grades 9 through 12, who are typically 14 to 18 years old.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This stage of education is crucial as students prepare for higher education or enter the workforce. High school teachers specialize in subjects such as mathematics, science, English, history, or foreign languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be a high school teacher, you need various skills to effectively support your students, such as subject expertise, communication skills, motivational skills, technological proficiency, and adaptability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must also learn to be patient and empathetic to understand the challenges teenagers face and provide support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following are the daily responsibilities of a high school teacher:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lesson planning:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Developing lesson plans that align with curriculum standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Classroom instruction: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teaching students through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Assessment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Creating and grading tests, quizzes, and assignments to evaluate student progress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Student support: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing one-on-one assistance to students who need extra help.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Classroom management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Enforcing rules and managing student behavior.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Parent communication: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping parents informed about their child&#8217;s progress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Extracurricular involvement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leading or supporting school clubs, sports, and other activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers must participate in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplek12.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional development<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> activities to stay current with new instructional methods and educational technology,<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Much Does a High School Teacher Make in Virginia?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the U.S. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes252031.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (BLS), the average annual salary of a high school teacher is $72,020. Some educators earn higher or lower\u00a0 than this mean figure because of various factors such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Years of experience and education level: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teacher salaries depend on the educator&#8217;s years of experience and level of education. A teacher with a master&#8217;s degree and several years of experience will earn more than a new teacher with only a bachelor&#8217;s degree.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Teacher shortage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The demand for teachers in certain subjects or areas affects salaries. For example, higher pay may be offered to teachers in subjects like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in underserved areas to attract qualified candidates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>District funding: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Education funding comes from local property taxes, which can lead to differences in school budgets and teacher salaries. Wealthier areas with higher property values can afford to pay teachers more than less affluent areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Areas with a higher cost of living offer higher salaries to attract and retain teachers. For example, teachers in Northern Virginia near Washington D.C. earn more than those in rural areas due to the higher cost of living in that region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-365079\" src=\"\/media-tx\/Virginia_wages.png\" alt=\"Virginia wages\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Wages in USD<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A chart showing disparities in high school educators&#8217; salaries in Virginia based on BLS data.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Become a High School Teacher in Virginia<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To become a high school teacher in Virginia, you&#8217;ll need to follow several steps. These steps are geared towards ensuring you are well-equipped to deliver quality education to students in Virginia&#8217;s high schools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Here&#8217;s an overview of the entire process:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Earn a bachelor\u2019s degree: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must obtain a bachelor\u2019s degree in a major related to the subject you wish to teach. For example, if you want to teach music, a degree in music or a related field is appropriate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enroll in a teacher preparation program:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Enroll in a teacher preparation program approved by the Virginia Department of Education. You will take coursework in pedagogy and engage in student teaching in a real classroom setting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pass required examinations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Before you\u2019re certified, you must pass state certification exams which include Praxis and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Complete a background check: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All aspiring teachers must undergo fingerprinting and a background check to ensure they have no criminal history that would disqualify them from working with children.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Apply for a teaching license: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submit an application for a teaching license to the Virginia Department of Education. Include transcripts, test scores, proof of completion of a teacher preparation program, and results from your background check.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve qualified, you\u2019ll receive your teaching license. You can begin your job search by looking for job openings in Virginia public high schools. The Virginia Department of Education\u2019s website, school district websites, and job boards such as Indeed and Glassdoor are a good place to start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High school teachers in Virginia who want to teach reading or special education will be required to pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam before certification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Note:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Virginia offers a Provisional License for those who have not completed all requirements and the Collegiate Professional License for those who have completed all requirements. This is primarily aimed at those who use the alternative certification route.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Alternative Certification for High School Teachers in Virginia<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/national-teacher-certification\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alternative certification route<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to becoming a high school teacher in Virginia is designed for individuals who have a bachelor\u2019s degree in a field other than education and want to transition into teaching.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pathway is known as the Career Switcher Program and allows candidates to obtain the necessary certification while working as a teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the steps involved in becoming a high school teacher in Virginia through alternative certification:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Earn a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Ensure you have a bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited institution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Enroll in a program<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Choose an approved alternative certification program. The programs involve completing coursework in pedagogy, classroom management, and instructional strategies, combined with field experiences such as observations and practice teaching.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Provisional license application<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: After completing the coursework, you can apply for a Provisional License through the Virginia Department of Education. This license allows you to begin teaching while completing additional requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Pass required exams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Pass the required exams, including the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, subject-specific Praxis II exams, the Virginia Communication, and the VCLA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Start teaching: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secure a teaching position in a Virginia public high school. Your alternative certification program may assist with job placement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While teaching under a Provisional License, you&#8217;re required to continue with ongoing professional development, mentoring, and support from your program and school district.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After two years, you will undergo a performance assessment. Your performance will be evaluated through classroom observations, student assessments, and other criteria set by the school district and career switcher program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upon successful completion of all requirements, you can apply for a Professional License through the Virginia Department of Education. This full professional license is valid for five years and renewable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Highest and Lowest Paying High School Jobs in Virginia<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a certified high school teacher in Virginia, you can teach in various settings with different salary expectations and work environments. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public high schools:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They are funded by local, state, and federal government sources and overseen by school districts and adhere to state educational standards and policies. These schools serve a diverse student body socially, economically, ethnically, and in academic abilities. They also have access to resources such as special education services, counseling, and career and technical education programs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Charter schools:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They are publicly funded but have greater flexibility in curriculum design, teaching methods, and staffing decisions. Some have specific admission criteria or focus areas that attract certain student groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Private high schools:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They do not receive public funding and have the freedom to design their own curricula, which may or may not align with state standards. Many private schools are affiliated with religious organizations or specific educational philosophies which influence their curriculum and school culture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Virtual schools: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Education is delivered through digital platforms, enabling students to learn from anywhere with internet access. Online and virtual schools offer flexible scheduling, allowing students to complete work at their own pace and on their own time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-365080\" src=\"\/media-tx\/Virginia_wages_graph.png\" alt=\"Virginia wages graph\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>A graph showing the highest and lowest high school jobs in Virginia<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Become a High School Teacher in Virginia<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living in Virginia means enjoying a high quality of life with access to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and the cities of Richmond and Virginia Beach. The state also has a strong economy and a relatively low cost of living, making it an attractive place to settle down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A teaching career is rewarding because you\u2019ll enjoy seeing your students grow academically and become useful members of society. Additionally teaching offers job security with many options of employment depending on your goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you aspire to become a teacher, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/alternate-teacher-certification\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers of Tomorrow<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers an accredited alternative certification program. This program is designed to fast-track your path to becoming a certified teacher while providing support throughout the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The alternative certification program includes intensive pre-service training, mentoring from experienced educators, and hands-on teaching experience. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/national-teacher-certification\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enroll today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and begin a successful teaching career.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Related Careers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-365081\" src=\"\/media-tx\/Virginia_related_career.png\" alt=\"Virginia related career\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Related Articles<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-teach-online\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Teach Online in 2024 \u2013 The 7 Important Steps to Consider<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-much-does-an-elementary-teacher-make-in-south-carolina\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Much Does an Elementary Teacher Make in South Carolina in 2024\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-much-does-a-high-school-teacher-make-in-south-carolina\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Much Does a High School Teacher Make in South Carolina in 2024?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A teaching career is one of the most fulfilling professions because of the joy that comes from helping students achieve their potential and witnessing their growth. Teaching is also a &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":45101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2025-01-06 05:30:10","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category"},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46505"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46505"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47019,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46505\/revisions\/47019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}