Secondary Teacher Salary Information

In the midst of debates on teacher pay, many teachers with a passion to change students' lives and contribute to the education of our next generation pursue teaching careers regardless of expected compensation. Their commitment is admirable; however, you might be surprised to learn that their salaries aren't as low as some commentators would have you think. Keep reading to find out the truth about middle and high school teacher salaries so you can make an educated decision about your future.

Average Middle School Teacher Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2007 middle school teachers earned between $32,630 to $75,010 per year with an average annual salary of $50,630. With that wide of a range, you can put your earning power into your own hands by gaining experience, pursuing continuing education and earning advanced degrees, all indispensable assets if you would like to make a salary on the higher end of that scale.

High School Teacher Average Salary

In general, the older your students, the more money you will make as a classroom teacher. So you can expect a high school teacher salary to be higher than a middle school or elementary one. In 2007, high school teachers earned an average annual salary of $52,450 and reported a range of $32,920 to $78,100 per year. The most lucrative high school teacher salaries are earned by those who specialize in high-demand subjects, such as science, math and bilingual education.

Secondary Teacher Salary by Location

Another way to make the most of your salary as a secondary teacher is to go to where the job pays best. Secondary salaries vary widely from state to state and between urban and suburban areas. As a new teacher, a good way to get in the game is to seek a position in the inner-city or in an outlying rural area. Then you can move your way up to the higher paying districts. But if that option doesn't intrigue you, stick with the following states that offer the highest annual mean high school teacher salary:

• New York: $64,020
• Illinois: $63,640
• Connecticut: $63,290
• California: $61,970
• New Jersey: $61,640

Benefits and Perks

Public secondary teachers enjoy some of the most comprehensive benefits offered today. Good health and dental insurance as well as generous pension plans supplement the above-mentioned salaries to comprise an attractive overall package. In some areas, teacher shortages have districts vying for qualified candidates. These understaffed schools have been known to offer additional perks such as subsidized housing, continuing education credit and on-site childcare.

Hourly Comparisons

Another factor to consider is the reduced hours classroom teachers work in a typical year. Secondary teachers work an average of over 500 hours less than typical full-time workers per year due to school breaks and vacation time, which means that you'll earn about $10 more per hour than a typical year-round worker who brings in the same paycheck.

When seen in that light, secondary teacher salary statistics look much more favorable. The work is involved and the weekly hours are long, but the best teachers will tell you that the stress is more manageable when months of summer vacation and weeks of paid holiday leave is built into the schedule.

Of course, with earnings peaking under $80,000 per year, few will pursue a teaching career as a ticket to great monetary wealth. But for those who are passionate about educating and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, the choice is clear. You may not go into teaching for the money, but once you're there you can earn a respectable wage while pursuing a fulfilling career.