About the job
Secondary school teachers prepare and teach academic, technical, vocational or specialized subjects at public and private secondary schools. Secondary school teachers who are heads of departments are included in this group. Secondary teachers may specialize in areas such as mathematics, English, French, special education, or second language instruction. Secondary school teachers of vocational and trades subjects may specialize in areas such as hairdressing or auto mechanics.
- Prepare subject material for presentation to students according to an approved curriculum.
- Teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies.
- Assign and correct homework.
- Prepare, administer and correct tests.
- Evaluate progress, determine individual needs of students and discuss results with parents and school officials.
- Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
- Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops.
- May teach and evaluate students through distance or online courses.
- May advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters.
- May supervise student teachers.
Secondary school teachers may specialize in such areas as mathematics, English, French, special education or second language instruction. Secondary school teachers of vocational and trades subjects may specialize in areas such as hairdressing or auto mechanics.
- adult education teacher, secondary school
- cooperative education teacher
- English as a second language teacher, high school
- high school teacher
- private teacher - secondary school
- secondary school department head
- secondary school teacher
- special needs teacher - secondary school
- substitute teacher - secondary school
To work in this field, you should be patient, imaginative, objective, and resourceful. Leadership skills and the ability to motivate students are important. You must be able to communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and interesting way. Planning and organizational skills are also necessary. Energy and stamina are often needed, as a teacher's workday involves more than just school hours. Teachers must be knowledgeable about their subjects and keep informed of new material and methods of teaching.
- Teachers of academic subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is often preceded by a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences.
- Teachers of vocational or technical subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is usually preceded by specialized training or experience in the subject.
- Department heads usually require several years of teaching experience.
- To specialize in special education or English or French as a second language, additional training is required.
- A provincial teaching certificate is required.
- Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation may be required.
Progression to vice-principal or other administrative positions in the education system is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Secondary School Teachers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 67% of Secondary School Teachers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $74,127. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Secondary School Teachers | 3,825 | stable | 180 | Low | Minimum: $21.63 Median: $38.66 Maximum: $45.64 | Minimum: $12,906 Median: $70,443 Maximum: $86,277 |
Occupations in Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services | 55,420 | Moderate growth | 4,880 | Low | Minimum: $14.00 Median: $26.88 Maximum: $46.15 | Minimum: $5,616 Median: $44,335 Maximum: $92,599 |
Secondary School Teachers | Compared to: Occupations in Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services | |
Percent employed full-time | 85% | 79% |
Percent self-employed | 2% | 6% |
Area of Employment | Secondary School Teachers | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 13% | x | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 17% | x | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 16% | x | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 41% | x | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 13% | x | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Secondary School Teachers | Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | 3% | N/A |
25-34 | 25% | 5% |
35-44 | 23% | 37% |
45-54 | 36% | 29% |
55-64 | 10% | 24% |
65+ | 3% | 5% |
Median Age | 44 | 44 |

Gender | Secondary School Teachers | Compared to: Occupations in Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 59% | 64% |
Male | 41% | 36% |
Education | Secondary School Teachers | Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | N/A | x | 2.8% | $11,346 |
High school | 0.6% | $11,687 | 14.3% | $25,801 |
Trades certificate | N/A | x | 4.2% | $35,678 |
College certificate or diploma | 3.0% | $28,074 | 21.5% | $28,183 |
University certificate or diploma | 1.4% | $40,048 | 2.6% | $35,967 |
Bachelor's degree | 43.2% | $51,170 | 29.2% | $43,533 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | 10.1% | $67,022 | 3.4% | $47,801 |
Master's degree | 0.2% | $80,178 | 17.2% | $35,978 |
Doctorate | 41.4% | $73,756 | 4.6% | $60,991 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | 0.5% | x | 0.2% | $83,456 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
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