Middle School Education and Teaching: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Middle School Education and Teaching graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $93,697 compared to $53,233 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,752,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 274 accredited institutions offer Middle School Education and Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Missouri State University, Springfield (105 graduates), University of the Cumberlands (94 graduates), and Liberty University (80 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,458 in 2010 to a peak of 3,484 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,976 in 2023-24. This represents a 33% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,752,000 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.