Best Secondary School Teacher programs in California, ranked by enrollment
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school.
212 schools in California run programs that feed this job, graduating 90,553 people a year. The job pays a median of $101,370 in California across about 99,230 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in California that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
55 programs in California that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in California (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own California page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 30.0101In California → | 19,845 | 21.9% | 99 | $28,446 | $11,000 |
| 2 | CIP 26.0101In California → | 13,861 | 15.3% | 171 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 3 | CIP 45.0101In California → | 7,547 | 8.3% | 64 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 4 | CIP 45.1001In California → | 7,165 | 7.9% | 170 | $35,631 | $23,538 |
| 5 | CIP 45.0601In California → | 6,490 | 7.2% | 126 | $51,725 | $22,907 |
| 6 | CIP 27.0101In California → | 6,489 | 7.2% | 175 | $48,772 | $21,544 |
| 7 | CIP 23.0101In California → | 5,532 | 6.1% | 176 | $29,622 | $24,546 |
| 8 | CIP 50.0701In California → | 5,334 | 5.9% | 148 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 9 | CIP 54.0101In California → | 4,569 | 5.0% | 176 | $31,217 | $24,000 |
| 10 | CIP 40.0801In California → | 3,067 | 3.4% | 138 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 11 | CIP 40.0501In California → | 2,644 | 2.9% | 131 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
| 12 | CIP 16.0905In California → | 1,616 | 1.8% | 141 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 13 | CIP 50.0901In California → | 1,562 | 1.7% | 140 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 14 | CIP 13.1206In California → | 1,010 | 1.1% | 16 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 15 | CIP 13.1205In California → | 758 | 0.8% | 14 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 16 | CIP 40.0101In California → | 397 | 0.4% | 18 | $27,007 | $9,000 |
| 17 | CIP 16.1601In California → | 354 | 0.4% | 37 | $32,695 | $25,209 |
| 18 | CIP 13.1401In California → | 271 | 0.3% | 18 | $36,305 | $26,250 |
| 19 | CIP 19.0101In California → | 262 | 0.3% | 8 | $31,910 | $26,500 |
| 20 | CIP 16.0302In California → | 246 | 0.3% | 34 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 21 | CIP 16.0101In California → | 185 | 0.2% | 22 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 22 | CIP 16.0901In California → | 168 | 0.2% | 49 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 23 | CIP 45.1099In California → | 159 | 0.2% | 4 | $35,631 | $23,538 |
| 24 | CIP 13.1315In California → | 142 | 0.2% | 6 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 25 | CIP 16.0301In California → | 109 | 0.1% | 20 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 26 | CIP 13.1314In California → | 82 | 0.1% | 4 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 27 | CIP 13.1311In California → | 68 | 0.1% | 8 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 28 | CIP 16.1200In California → | 60 | 0.1% | 13 | — | $22,560 |
| 29 | CIP 13.1309In California → | 55 | 0.1% | 3 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 30 | CIP 13.1312In California → | 55 | 0.1% | 8 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 31 | CIP 16.1101In California → | 50 | 0.1% | 4 | $48,355 | $15,526 |
| 32 | CIP 16.0902In California → | 48 | 0.1% | 17 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 33 | CIP 16.9999In California → | 47 | 0.1% | 7 | $34,944 | $24,828 |
| 34 | CIP 16.0303In California → | 42 | 0.0% | 4 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 35 | CIP 16.0501In California → | 42 | 0.0% | 13 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 36 | CIP 13.1305In California → | 41 | 0.0% | 3 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 37 | CIP 13.1213In California → | 34 | 0.0% | 1 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 38 | CIP 13.1316In California → | 25 | 0.0% | 5 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 39 | CIP 13.0201In California → | 23 | 0.0% | 3 | $56,738 | $19,664 |
| 40 | CIP 16.0402In California → | 20 | 0.0% | 8 | $60,240 | $5,500 |
| 41 | CIP 16.0300In California → | 19 | 0.0% | 5 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 42 | CIP 13.1302In California → | 12 | 0.0% | 4 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 43 | CIP 13.1306In California → | 7 | 0.0% | 3 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 44 | CIP 13.1322In California → | 7 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 45 | CIP 13.1211In California → | 6 | 0.0% | 1 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 46 | CIP 16.0900In California → | 5 | 0.0% | 4 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 47 | CIP 13.1324In California → | 4 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 48 | CIP 45.0199In California → | 4 | 0.0% | 1 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 49 | CIP 16.0399In California → | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 50 | CIP 16.0500In California → | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 51 | CIP 30.4101In California → | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 52 | CIP 13.1323In California → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 53 | CIP 16.1299In California → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | — | $22,560 |
| 54 | CIP 13.1321In California → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 55 | CIP 45.1002In California → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $35,631 | $23,538 |
Top 25 schools in California
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 71 of the 212 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Public · 19 feeder programs | 2,452 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $25,388 | 87% | — | 29% |
| 2 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA Public · 9 feeder programs | 2,167 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 36% | — | — |
| 3 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 22 feeder programs | 2,163 | Political Science and Government, General | $34,392 | 93% | — | 9% |
| 4 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA Public · 18 feeder programs | 1,818 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 48% | — | — |
| 5 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA Public · 13 feeder programs | 1,684 | Social Sciences, General | $22,947 | 37% | — | — |
| 6 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 18 feeder programs | 1,600 | Political Science and Government, General | $45,418 | 93% | — | 11% |
| 7 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · 18 feeder programs | 1,565 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $35,053 | 69% | — | 46% |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · 20 feeder programs | 1,489 | Art/Art Studies, General | $23,186 | 76% | — | 36% |
| 9 | Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA Public · 14 feeder programs | 1,484 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 46% | — | — |
| 10 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA Public · 16 feeder programs | 1,477 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $26,863 | 76% | — | 76% |
| 11 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · 12 feeder programs | 1,412 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $34,504 | 86% | — | 27% |
| 12 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · 16 feeder programs | 1,411 | Art/Art Studies, General | $25,359 | 57% | — | 93% |
| 13 | Sierra College Rocklin, CA Public · 13 feeder programs | 1,305 | Social Sciences, General | $30,103 | 42% | — | — |
| 14 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · 17 feeder programs | 1,291 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $33,486 | 83% | — | 33% |
| 15 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · 19 feeder programs | 1,290 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $35,241 | 86% | — | 42% |
| 16 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA Public · 14 feeder programs | 1,187 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 32% | — | — |
| 17 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto, CA Public · 13 feeder programs | 1,179 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $26,228 | 36% | — | — |
| 18 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA Public · 17 feeder programs | 1,124 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 70% | — | 91% |
| 19 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · 14 feeder programs | 1,071 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $37,192 | 56% | — | 94% |
| 20 | American River College Sacramento, CA Public · 15 feeder programs | 1,045 | Social Sciences, General | — | 37% | — | — |
| 21 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CA Public · 13 feeder programs | 1,021 | Social Sciences, General | — | 45% | — | — |
| 22 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CA Public · 14 feeder programs | 1,012 | Social Sciences, General | $24,052 | 34% | — | — |
| 23 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CA Public · 17 feeder programs | 980 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CA Public · 15 feeder programs | 955 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 42% | — | — |
| 25 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA Public · 13 feeder programs | 944 | Social Sciences, General | $27,691 | 37% | — | — |
All 212 schools in California
Every school in California with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California - Irvine | Irvine | Public | 2,452 | 19 |
| Santa Monica College | Santa Monica | Public | 2,167 | 9 |
| University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Public | 2,163 | 22 |
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena | Public | 1,818 | 18 |
| East Los Angeles College | Monterey Park | Public | 1,684 | 13 |
| University of California - Berkeley | Berkeley | Public | 1,600 | 18 |
| California State University - Long Beach | Long Beach | Public | 1,565 | 18 |
| San Diego State University | San Diego | Public | 1,489 | 20 |
| Los Angeles Pierce College | Woodland Hills | Public | 1,484 | 14 |
| University of California - Riverside | Riverside | Public | 1,477 | 16 |
| University of California - San Diego | La Jolla | Public | 1,412 | 12 |
| California State University - Northridge | Northridge | Public | 1,411 | 16 |
| Sierra College | Rocklin | Public | 1,305 | 13 |
| University of California - Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Public | 1,291 | 17 |
| University of California - Davis | Davis | Public | 1,290 | 19 |
What secondary school teachers earn in California
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $72,040. California pays above the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in California
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Secondary School Teachers page.
How to become a Secondary School Teacher
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in California
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Secondary School Teachers24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 13.0201Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- 13.1203Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
- 13.1205Secondary Education and Teaching
- 13.1206Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- 13.1207Montessori Teacher Education
- 13.1208Waldorf/Steiner Teacher Education(no graduates reported)
- 13.1211Online Educator/Online Teaching
- 13.1212International Teaching and Learning
- 13.1213Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods
- 13.1302Art Teacher Education
- 13.1304Driver and Safety Teacher Education
- 13.1305English/Language Arts Teacher Education
- 13.1306Foreign Language Teacher Education
- 13.1307Health Teacher Education
- 13.1308Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
- 13.1309Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
- 13.1311Mathematics Teacher Education
- 13.1312Music Teacher Education
- 13.1314Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
- 13.1315Reading Teacher Education
- 13.1316Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
- 13.1317Social Science Teacher Education
- 13.1318Social Studies Teacher Education
- 13.1321Computer Teacher Education
- 13.1322Biology Teacher Education
Common questions
Answers for people weighing secondary school teachers programs in California.
What degree do you need to become a Secondary School Teacher?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biological and Physical Sciences, which awarded 19,845 degrees in California in 2024-25, 21.9% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Secondary School Teacher?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 55 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biological and Physical Sciences, Biology, Social Sciences, Political Science and Government, plus 24 more. Together they graduate about 90,553 people a year in California.
How much do secondary school teachers earn in California?+
The median is $101,370 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 40.7% above the U.S. median of $72,040. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for secondary school teachers growing?+
BLS projects a -1.6% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, decline, with roughly 66,200 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in California?+
212 institutions in California reported graduates from at least one of the 55 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do secondary school teachers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Teacher, English Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-2031.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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