History Teacher Career Guide (2024)

History teachers educate students on the events and lessons of history and how they may relate to current events. A teacher specializing in this field must possess a thorough knowledge of history supplemented by study in other disciplines to help students understand how historical events have shaped the world as we know it. This guide provides in-depth information on what history teachers do, how to become one, and their salary and job outlook.

History Teacher Career Description

A history teacher leads students in the study of past events in both the United States and around the world. They generally teach students at the middle school, high school, and postsecondary levels. History curriculum can cover a wide range of topics from recent events to ancient history. History educators encourage students to view the world from multiple perspectives and to become informed citizens. History teachers facilitate learning by providing stimulating discussions, readings, and projects. They often help students comprehend and process the significance of difficult social and political issues. To reach these goals, teachers of history organize lesson plans in line with curriculum standards, collect and design lesson presentations and class assessments, and perform other common teaching tasks such as grading assignments.

History Teacher Requirements and Common Tasks

To be hired to teach history in K-12 public schools, an applicant needs a degree in history education and must meet state requirements for teaching history. All states require that public school teachers pass one or more competency tests, such as the Praxis Series, in their subject area. Teachers in private schools may have different requirements and may not need to be certified by the state. While earning a bachelor’s degree, teachers typically complete a supervised period of student teaching to qualify for certification. Postsecondary teachers will be expected to hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree to teach at the college or university level.

Depending on the size of the school district where a teacher is hired and the district’s approved curriculum, history teachers may be expected to teach classes across the spectrum of social sciences, from American history to economics. Teachers design and grade tests and interactive projects, deliver lectures, interact with students and parents, and ideally stay abreast of current events. History teachers may also work with special education teachers to modify curricula for students who have learning difficulties. Further, most teachers contribute to the extracurricular activities of their school and are often asked to work with debate teams or other clubs related to their expertise.

How to Become a History Teacher

Choosing a college or university that has respected history and teaching programs is the first step to becoming a history teacher. In order to qualify you for licensure, the bachelor’s degree program you complete should include a state-approved teacher preparation program. Prospective teachers of history pursuing a bachelor’s degree can expect to take two years of general education classes and lower-level history courses prior to applying to the teacher preparation program. A major in history, which typically comprises at least 30 credit hours, should also be declared. The typical route to becoming a history teacher at a K-12 public school is as follows:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in history and complete a teacher preparation program.
2. Complete a student teaching internship at the grade level(s) to be taught.
3. Take your state’s required exams for prospective teachers.
4. Apply for your teaching license.
5. Begin applying to open history teacher positions.

If the student already holds a bachelor’s degree, returning to school for an alternative certification program or master’s degree in history or education may be an alternate route to teacher certification. With these pathways, full-time students can earn a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate and teacher certification in two to three years. If the student already has a bachelor’s degree in history, education courses for certification must be completed. If the student’s background is not in history, enough courses to constitute a history major will typically be required. Practicum hours and student teaching are typical requirements for either situation, and state testing for certification is required for all prospective K-12 teachers at public schools.

History Teacher Salary and Job Outlook

History teacher salaries vary widely depending on location, qualifications, and type of school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the high school education field is expected to grow by about 4% through 2031.¹ Teachers at the high school level earned a median salary of $62,360 a year in 2022, according to the BLS, while middle school teachers earned a median salary of $61,810 per year and had job growth expectations of 5% through 2031.^2,4 Postsecondary teachers in all categories earned a median of $79,640 per year in 2021.⁵ A 7% increase in jobs for postsecondary history teachers is expected through 2031.⁵

Helpful Skills and Experience

To be successful in teaching history, an educational background in history from all time periods and global regions is a must. Successful history teachers generally have strong communication skills as well as classroom leadership skills that foster a learning environment centered on discussion and debate of past events and how these relate to modern times. A genuine interest in history can help teachers engage students in the subject. In addition, history teachers should have knowledge of modern research and citation methods to help students learn about and cite historical facts.

Additional Resources

• The National Council for the Social Studies: The largest association in the US focused on social studies education. Membership is open to social studies educators at all grade levels, and member educators receive access to databases of social studies classroom activities, education standards, and professional development opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What state certification(s) are required to teach history?

Answer: While history teachers in private schools might not be required to obtain state teacher certification, history teachers in public schools must typically hold state-level certification to teach as well as an endorsem*nt in the subject area(s) taught. For guidelines specific to your state, check with the state board of education or your university’s education department. You can also check out our traditional teacher certification and alternative teacher certification guides.

Question: What degree do you need to become a history teacher?

Answer: If you aim to teach in the public school system, K-12 teachers typically need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in their subject of expertise. They also need to have teacher certification, which typically requires completing a state-approved teacher preparation program. If you aim to teach college and university students, you will likely need an advanced degree in the subject you wish to teach. For those looking to teach in private K-12 schools, the teacher requirements may vary widely, so be sure to check with your school(s) of choice.

Question: What grade levels can I teach with a degree in history?

Answer: Most history teachers find work at the high school level, although some districts hire history teachers at the middle school level. For teaching grades K-12 in public schools, a bachelor’s degree is typically the base qualification. Teachers of history in post-secondary schools usually have a graduate degree such as a master’s degree or a doctoral degree and/or significant experience in their field(s) of expertise.

Question: How hard is it to become a history teacher?

Answer: Becoming a history teacher is typically no more difficult than becoming a teacher in any other subject! If you have an affinity and/or aptitude for history and a desire to share your knowledge with others, then becoming a history teacher may be right for you!

Question: How can I improve my outlook for getting hired to teach history?

Answer: A strong liberal arts background is a great start for seeking employment as a history teacher. Joining history-focused associations, networking, and getting published in outlets focused on education and humanities are other great ways to be competitive in the hiring process.

Question: How much do history teachers make?

Answer: The salary of a history teacher depends on many factors, including type of school, levels taught, years of experience, education, and location. The BLS reports that, as of 2022, high school teachers earned a median salary of $62,360 per year while middle school teachers earned a median salary of $61,810 per year.^2,3

Question: What does it take to become a history teacher?

Answer: For prospective history teachers in K-12 public schools, a bachelor’s degree in history will likely be required, as well as the completion of a state-approved educator preparation program (these programs can be completed concurrently). Then you will need to obtain state certification to teach, along with an endorsem*nt in history. Once teacher certification has been obtained, you will be prepared to become a history teacher at the secondary level.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, High School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252031.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, Middle School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252022.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm