Did You Know? Interesting Stats About Middle School Teachers

Did you know that middle school teachers can have 20x more influence on a student’s education than their class size or socioeconomic status? We’ve collected this and other interesting stats about middle school teachers.

Middle school teachers talking in a small group

Middle school educators play a pivotal role in their students’ lives, often setting them on a trajectory that turns their passion and talent into success. The formative years spent in the middle grades help students learn what subjects they enjoy.

Middle school teachers bridge the gap between early learning and high school, making their role essential in preparing students for the next chapter. Just recently, Chris Martin from Coldplay shared how his music teacher put him on his path in music when he was 11 years old. Similarly, legendary actor Al Pacino recently mentioned his junior high teacher in his new memoir. Read about these stories and more: Do You Remember Your Middle School Teachers? These High-Profile People Sure Do

These stories are a powerful reminder of the meaningful and lasting impact middle school educators can have on the lives of their students. So, what makes middle school teachers so special? We’ve collected some interesting stats about middle school teachers. Do these apply to you?

Who teaches middle school?
Do middle school teachers enjoy their jobs?
Middle school teachers' insight and impact on their students
Middle school teacher salaries
What students say about their teachers

Who teaches middle school?

65% of middle school teachers are female
The average age of a middle school teacher is 42
More than 95% have a bachelor’s degree (or higher)
On average, middle school teachers have about 14 years of teaching experience

Do middle school teachers enjoy their jobs?

50% of middle school teachers report being very satisfied with their jobs
83% remain in their profession after the first five years
80% stay at one school for a large portion of their career
45% say their students trust them to do their job well

Middle school teachers' insight and impact on their students:

Full-time public-school teachers spend an average of 53 hours per week on school-related activities
84% say there’s not enough time during regular work hours to do tasks like grading, lesson planning, paperwork and answering work emails
The average student-teacher ratio in middle schools is approximately 16:1
57% view anxiety and depression as major problems for their students
34% view bullying as a significant problem
The average teacher affects 3,000 students during their career
Middle school teachers can have 20x more influence on a student’s education than their class size or socioeconomic status

Middle school teacher salaries:

The median U.S. salary is $64,290 (as of May 2023)
Middle school teachers in New York have the highest average salary: $83,010
The lowest average middle school teacher salary is in Mississippi: $42,540

What students say about their teachers:

83% of students say a teacher has boosted their self-esteem and confidence
79% of students say a teacher has encouraged them to follow their dreams
75% of students say teachers are their mentors and role models
54% of students say a teacher has helped them during a difficult time

One of our favorite statistics: Former middle school teachers are 91% more likely to work at education companies in comparison to private companies. At CompTIA Spark, many of our team members are former educators. We rely on their experience and expertise to make our curriculum the best it can be for both students and teachers.