Career comparison
Adult Education Teacher vs. High School Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
High school teachers earn more at the median ($72,040 vs. $61,540), while adult education teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus certificates of training). Adult education teachers teach adults to read, earn a GED and learn English. High school teachers teach teenagers a subject and prepare them for college, careers and life.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Adult Education Teacher | High School Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,540 ($29.59/hr) | $72,040 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $41,810 – $98,030 | $48,780 – $107,600 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -13.9% (a projected decline) | -0.2% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 3,800 | 63,500 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus certificates | 4 years plus licensing |
| Key credential | TESOL or TEFL certificate | State teaching license |
| Work setting | Adult educators work in community colleges, libraries, community centers, workplaces and online.. | High school teachers work in classrooms and labs, with after-school activities, meetings and events.. |
What each job does
Adult Education Teacher
- Assess adult learners’ skills
- Plan lessons for mixed levels
- Teach reading, writing and math
- Teach English language skills
- Prepare students for GED or HiSET exams
High School Teacher
- Plan and teach lessons in a subject
- Grade assignments and exams
- Prepare students for state and AP exams
- Manage classroom behavior
- Differentiate instruction
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, indoor work, and creative work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose adult education teacher if…
- I like teaching adults
- I enjoy working with diverse cultures
- I’m patient
Choose high school teacher if…
- I love my subject
- I enjoy working with teenagers
- I can manage a classroom
Still torn? Take the Adult Education Teacher fit quiz and the High School Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, adult education teacher or high school teacher?
High School Teachers earn more at the median: $72,040 versus $61,540 for adult education teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Adult Education Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus certificates) than high school teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects high school teachers to grow -0.2% from 2025–35, compared with -13.9% for adult education teachers.