Learn the Truth About Teacher Salaries By Kate Halstead No one believes current teacher salaries are the path to great wealth. However, most people don't realize that the average teacher's salary is significantly higher than many other professional occupations requiring a four-year degree. Depending on what you teach and where you teach, you'll find teacher salaries can be quite competitive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), average teacher salaries for K – 12 positions range from a median of $47,040 a year for kindergarten teachers to over $52,500 a year for some secondary school positions. And, those numbers just reflect the U.S. median. Take a closer look at teacher salaries and you'll find states like New York where the median kindergarten teacher salary is over $71,000 a year, and states like New Jersey where middle school vocational teachers make over $60,000 a year. You'll also find states, such as Montana and Arkansas, where teacher salaries rarely exceed $40,000 a year, even after teaching for many years. This shows that cost of living in different areas can have a significant effect on teacher salaries. Research teacher salaries across the country to find the most promising teaching career opportunity for you. 
Teachers Salaries Pay More Than the Average Professional Job According to a recent Manhattan Institute study of teacher salaries,* public school teachers are paid 11 percent more than the average professional worker. The statistics also show that most public school teacher salaries are higher than their comparable private school counterparts. At over $34 an hour, according to 2005 BLS statistics, average teacher wages exceed that of many professionals: - Accountants earn a median hourly wage of $27.89
- Architects earn a median hourly wage of $32.96
- Civil engineers earn a median hourly wage of $33.41
- Medical scientists earn a median hourly wage of $33.24
- Fashion designers earn a median hourly wage of $32.39
Even computer programmers, the architects of the Internet age, earn a median hourly wage of $32.40. This is evidence that teachers can make a good living depending on their subject specialty and their state's school district. Additional Teacher Salary Benefits The BLS also estimates that full-time public teachers work an average of 36.5 hours a week during the school year. With the average school year across much of the United States at usually less than 200 days, teaching salaries start to look rather attractive. In addition, these numbers don't take into account the benefits that most school districts offer their educators: comprehensive health and life insurance, as well as solid retirement and pension plans. Many school districts also offer opportunities for continuing education. Most districts pay more based on the amount of post-secondary education as well as teaching experience. A master's degree, doctorate or other type of certification, such as special education or vocational certificates, can add thousands to a base teacher salary each year. For more information on these programs, read our article, "How to Become a Teacher." There are also many other opportunities to augment your teacher salary: - coaching after-school athletics
- advising after-school clubs
- becoming a department head
- becoming a new teacher mentor
- helping with after-school tutoring programs
- administering and grading placement exams
- teaching summer school programs
By supplementing your teacher salary with these additional teaching opportunities, you can make a good living in many areas. Depending on your teaching degree, experience and job placement research, you can have a very rewarding and well-paying career in the teaching profession. 
*Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, "How Much Are Public School Teachers Paid?", 01/2007 |
