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Educator, High School Teacher, Instructor, Junior High School Teacher, Middle School Teacher, School Teacher, Teacher
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In general, secondary school teachers:
Secondary classes vary in size. Students represent a broad range of abilities, interests, needs, and diversities. Teachers use various instructional techniques to engage students. They aim to maximize individual learning within a group teaching environment.
In addition to preparing and presenting lessons, secondary school teachers:
Additional duties may occur after regular school hours. For example, teachers may volunteer to supervise extracurricular and after-school activities. They can add some time to the working day.
Some teaching specializations may concentrate on preparation and organization. Others may involve more marking or extracurricular involvement.
Secondary teachers in large urban schools may teach many classes in only 1 or 2 subject areas. In smaller rural schools and schools with a generalist approach, secondary teachers teach a broader range of subjects and grades.
Academic specialists teach core courses such as English, language arts, and math. They prepare and present academic course content in a clear and creative way. They use techniques and materials designed to motivate students. Their duties may include:
In addition to second languages taught as specific subjects, many schools offer language immersion programs at various levels. Bilingual and multilingual teachers may teach academic subjects in languages other than English.
English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL) teachers work with children whose English skills are still developing. The objective of an ESL or ELL program is to integrate students into mainstream classes by:
Fine arts teachers are often teachers with an interest or experience in their respective artistic fields. For more information, see these occupational profiles:
Career and technology studies (CTS) teachers are usually specialists in their own or related fields. They teach courses drawn from 1 or more clusters of the provincial CTS program. The 5 clusters are:
Each school chooses CTS content based on student and community needs and available resources. No single school is likely to offer all 1,400+ CTS 1-credit courses.
Physical education teachers work toward enhancing the physical fitness and motor skill development of their students. They teach recreational activities such as:
Secondary teachers spend most of their working day instructing classes. They also spend many hours outside of class time working with individual students, preparing lessons, and marking assignments.
Teachers often use the spring, summer, or winter breaks for professional development. They may use a portion of these school breaks to fulfil other professional responsibilities.
They may teach 150 or more students a day. The work can be demanding, requiring a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional energy. Most secondary schools are well-equipped, attractive facilities with up-to-date audiovisual equipment, language, computer, and scientific labs, and athletic gear.
Teachers work in classrooms, school laboratories, workshops, and athletic facilities. Some classes may simulate settings found in business, industry, or government such as:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops; may advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters
Interest in co-ordinating information to prepare materials for academic, technical, vocational and specialized subjects and examinations, and to prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
Interest in instructing students using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies; and in assigning and correcting homework, and administering and correcting examinations; may supervise student teachers
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Secondary school teachers need:
They should enjoy:
Alberta teachers must meet the 6 competencies identified in the Teaching Quality Standard. For more information, see Certification Requirements.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 60 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 13, 2021 and Jun 20, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Teach students through lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations and laboratory, shop and field studies | 28 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 27 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 27 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 27 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Provincial or Territorial Teaching Certificate | 26 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 25 |
| Construction Specialization: Values and ethics | 25 |
| Tasks: Prepare, administer and correct tests | 25 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 24 |
| Tasks: Assign and correct homework | 23 |
In Alberta, the minimum qualification required to teach in a secondary school is 4 years of post-secondary education leading to a bachelor of education (B.Ed.) degree.
To apply for an Alberta teaching certificate, secondary school teachers must complete:
Teaching some subjects at the high school level may require specific courses. For example, a person wanting to teach social studies would need to take post-secondary courses in geography.
Admission can be competitive. Universities may prefer those who have experience working with children in a leadership capacity. Prospective students can gain valuable experience from:
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Teaching some career and technology studies (CTS) courses requires an appropriate Alberta Journeyman Certificate or recognized trade certificate. For information about designated trades, see the apprenticeship occupational profiles.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
In Alberta, teachers work in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system. They teach students who are usually between 5 to 18 years old. Kindergarten to Grade 9 teachers are typically generalists. It is often preferred that Grades 10 to 12 teachers have subject area expertise.
Under Alberta’s Education Act [pdf] and Certification of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation [pdf], school teachers must have a valid certificate from the Government of Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Teacher.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Secondary school teachers work in:
The type of school teachers work for could vary by school board. Most schools in Alberta are categorized according to the Alberta Kindergarten to Grade 12 school system divisions:
Some school boards may include different grade levels in their schools. For example, a middle school may include Grades 5 to 8. A secondary school teacher could work for any school that offers any of the Grades 7 to 12.
In large urban centres, the supply of secondary school teachers generally is greater than the demand. To find employment, beginning teachers may:
With experience and further education, secondary school teachers may advance to positions such as:
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Secondary school teachers
2016 NOC: 4031
99.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
School boards and their teachers negotiate collective agreements. The agreements determine teachers’ salaries and benefits, so salaries vary from one school board to another.
However, all teachers are paid according to a grid system. The system is based on their number of years of university training and of teaching experience.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $26.55 | $45.53 | $37.52 | $37.03 |
| Overall | $36.98 | $58.31 | $51.77 | $53.34 |
| Top | $45.22 | $77.66 | $62.74 | $64.59 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $86,558 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $86,556 |
| Public Administration | $102,739 |
Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca
Government of Alberta Teacher Certification website: www.alberta.ca/teacher-certification
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
