💡 Why it matters: Maths and science open doors to many careers, but lots of students find these subjects hard. A great teacher can change what a student believes they can do.
🌍 Around the world
- Nigeria: Nigeria needs more good teachers of Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, because many students struggle with these subjects in WAEC and JAMB exams.
- United States: Jobs for high school teachers are projected to change little from 2025 to 2035 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦800k – ₦2.5M
- Mid-career
- ₦2.5M – ₦6M
- Senior
- ₦6M – ₦15M
≈ ₦208k – ₦500k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇺🇸 United States
Closest US category: High school teachers. Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Closest Canadian category: Secondary school teacher. Hourly wage low and high x 2,080 hours; Job Bank shows no national median.. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Plan and teach lessons in Maths or science
- Run practicals and experiments
- Mark work and give helpful feedback
- Prepare students for their big school exams
- Talk with parents about how students are doing
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Explaining clearly
- Patience
- Subject knowledge
- Organisation
- Encouraging others
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Degree in a science subject plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
- NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education) then top up to a degree
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Teacher degree apprenticeship (degree plus QTS while you work in a school)
- Subject degree, then train on the job in a school
🇺🇸 United States
- Alternative certification programs for people who already have a science or maths degree (varies by state)
- Master's degree in teaching while working as a teacher
🇨🇦 Canada
- Concurrent education degrees that combine a subject degree and teacher training
- Teaching on a temporary certificate in some areas while finishing training (varies by province)
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Do well in Maths and sciences in secondary school
- 2Study an education or science degree
- 3Complete teaching practice in a real school
- 4Get the teaching licence or registration your country requires
- 5Teach, then grow into head of department or school leader
⏰ A day in the life
You teach three classes before lunch, including a Physics practical on circuits. After school you mark tests, help students stuck on past questions, and plan tomorrow's lesson.