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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Secondary school teachers (except special and career/technical education)

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, work was controlled by people for 74.1 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education, and work was self-paced for 25.9 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	27.9	72.1
Pace: Pause control	40.2	59.8
Working around crowds	9.1	90.9
Telework	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Supervising others	12.0	88.0
Work review: Presence of supervisor	17.2	82.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, prior work experience was required for 4.0 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education and on-the-job training was required for 37.7 percent.

A bachelor's degree was required for 99.4 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, a quiet noise exposure was present for 5.4 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education. Another 94.6 percent were exposed to moderate noise, less than 0.5 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by less than 0.5 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure, and was not used by greater than 99.5 percent.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 64.6 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education and was not required for 35.4 percent. For 17.0 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 46.2 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, less than 5 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 26.0 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education and was not required for 74.0 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 59.3 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education. On average, workers spent 40.8 percent of the workday sitting and 59.2 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical education with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	59.3	40.7
Driving	1.2	98.8
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	14.8	85.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey