Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Tucson, AZ
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $50,940 a year — 29% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,046 take-home, or $3,504 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,933
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,158
- Medicare (1.45%)$739
- Arizona income tax$1,065
- Take-home pay$42,046
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,180 | $19.32 | $33,669 | $2,806 |
| 25th percentile | $46,240 | $22.23 | $38,387 | $3,199 |
| Median (50th) | $50,940 | $24.49 | $42,046 | $3,504 |
| 75th percentile | $59,540 | $28.63 | $48,741 | $4,062 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,820 | $34.05 | $57,090 | $4,758 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,940 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education's $42,046 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,392 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tucson, AZ has 1.2× the national concentration of secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #84 of 84 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $102,670 | $81,058 | $72,938 |
| 2 | Fresno, CA | $100,750 | $73,258 | $71,710 |
| 3 | Bakersfield, CA | $99,150 | $72,302 | $71,667 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $98,970 | $73,701 | $71,144 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $105,060 | $75,833 | $71,091 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $108,230 | $77,727 | $70,390 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $92,110 | $70,792 | $69,559 |
| 8 | Akron, OH | $81,820 | $64,923 | $69,533 |
| 84 | Tucson, AZ | $50,940 | $42,046 | $43,392 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 84 metros →
About the job: secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.2% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salaries elsewhere in Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $59,570
Frequently asked questions
How much does a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education make in Tucson, AZ?
The median secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $50,940 a year, or about $24.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,240 and $59,540.
What is a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $50,940 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $42,046 a year ($3,504 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,065 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education?
Pay here is 29% below the national median of $72,040. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,392 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #84 of 84 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.