Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
SOC Code: 25-2022
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education carries a 39% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $62,970 and -2.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 633,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 39% AI exposure, Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education sits 2 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 67% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education has ai exposure of 39%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education (SOC 25-2022) carries an AI exposure score of 39%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 633,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -2.0% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $62,970, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 2. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 3. Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 4. Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- 5. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 6. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
- 7. Assign lessons and correct homework.
- 8. Assist students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.
- 9. Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- 10. Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Key Skills Required
- Learning Strategies
- Instructing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge Areas
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Philosophy and Theology
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Computers and Electronics
- History and Archeology
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education?
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education has an AI exposure score of 39%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education is projected to decline by 2.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 633,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education?
Key skills for Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education include Learning Strategies, Instructing, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education earn?
The median annual wage for Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education is $62,970, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education?
The typical entry-level education for Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education?
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).