Secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical 

education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact 

with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, verbal interactions were required constantly (every few minutes) for 

69.0 percent of secondary school teachers, except special and career or 

technical education, and were required not constantly, but more than once per hour for 31.0 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of secondary school teachers, except special and career or 

technical education with cognitive and mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 44.2 55.8

Interaction with general public >99.5 <0.5

Working around crowds 8.9 91.1

Telework 0.5 99.5

Work review: Supervising others 6.9 93.1

Work review: Presence of supervisor 21.5 78.5

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 98.9 percent of 

secondary school teachers, 

except special and career or 

technical education. Prior 

work experience was 

required for 5.7 percent and 

on-the-job training was 

required for 36.1 percent.

A bachelor's degree was 

required for 98.0 percent of 

secondary school teachers, 

except special and career or technical education.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ 

critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of secondary 

school teachers, except special and career or 

technical education were not exposed to 

extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent 

were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was 

not present for 93.9 percent, greater than 99.5 

percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, 

and 75.7 percent were not exposed to the 

outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform 

tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, 

duration of these activities are published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for greater than 

99.5 percent of secondary school teachers, except 

special and career or technical education and was 

not required for less than 0.5 percent. For 4.2 

percent of workers, keyboarding was seldom 

performed, for 83.6 percent keyboarding occurred 

occasionally, 12.2 percent frequently, and for less 

than 0.5 percent keyboarding occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 

29.1 percent of secondary school teachers, except 

special and career or technical education and was 

not required for 70.9 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 73.4 percent of secondary school teachers, 

except special and career or technical education. On average, workers spent 34.9 percent of the workday sitting and 

65.1 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of secondary school teachers, except special and career or technical 

education with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 73.4 26.6

Driving 1.4 98.6

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 18.6 81.4

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey