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 Every few years the American Federation of Teachers releases a Teacher Salary Trends report about teacher salaries across the United States. This information helps teachers decide where to teach and how much they should earn. The latest report indicated that the average teacher salary was $47,602. The Federation indicated that unfortunately, teachers are struggling to find housing in their areas that they can afford on their salaries. As more teachers pursue additional education after receiving their bachelor’s degree, their student loan debt increases dramatically. New teachers may not start at an average teacher salary and could therefore struggle even more than veteran teachers, who may have higher salaries.
In a profession with increasingly high turnover and recruiting issues, boosting the salaries of new teachers could help to increase the amount of time they spend with a particular school or school district. Additionally, wide discrepancies between teacher salaries from region to region also affect the likelihood that a qualified teacher will work for a school with low salaries. Some school districts offer high teacher salaries and great benefits, while others do not. With the rising price of gas and other inflation, teachers must make difficult choices when considering where to work. Again, the discrepancy in teacher salary from district to district can hinder the likelihood of retaining veteran teachers. Before accepting a position, teachers should research the salaries from district to district in their areas. Ask other teachers where they enjoy working and for a list of pros and cons of a particular school or school district.
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The most recent report included a list of teacher salaries by state. The state with the highest average teacher salary was Connecticut, at $57,760. California was a very close second, where the average teacher salary is $57,604. New Jersey teachers make approximately $56,635 per year. Rounding out the top five were Illinois and Rhode Island, with the average teacher salary at $56,494 and $56,432, respectively. The state with the lowest average teacher salary was South Dakota, at $34,039.
According to CBSalary.com, the average teacher salary by city was as follows: 
- Springfield, IL – $48,015
- Chicago, IL – $53,713
- Atlanta, GA – $35,903
- Savannah, GA – $25,008
- Orlando, FL – $31,684
- Tampa, FL – $36,630
- Miami, FL – $34,501
Teacher salary also varies according to education level of the teacher. A teacher with a four year bachelor’s degree may make less than a teacher with a master’s degree. The ranges for teacher salary in Chicago, IL vary from $37,372 to $89,620. This wide range obviously incorporates education level and experience of a multitude of teachers. Teacher salary also depends on what school level or subject teachers specialize in. A secondary school teacher may make more than a primary school teacher. In Chicago, a primary school teacher makes approximately $44,480. A secondary school teacher makes about $4,000 more, or $48,180. The average mathematics teacher makes $38,211, while the average science teacher makes $62,391. These teachers may make up to $52,977 or $87,946, respectively. A history teacher at the secondary level makes $38,256. The highest reported income for a history teacher in Chicago is $53,106. These wide ranges include teachers in public and private institutions at a variety of experience levels.
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110 Responses for "Teacher Salaries by State"
solidworks teacher
Hi I wouldn’t now if the recent you are talking about is 2007 or what year was it? I found no concluding date with this article. Please email me. I am making a research for ave sal and beg sal for Connecticut teachers. Thanks.
How can I find a current list of average teacher salaries for every US state. I’m currently teaching in Maryland and we are not receiving raises, therefore I need to find low cost of living and decent salaries.
crikey. you should all emigrate. teachers’ salaries average $70,000 in the uk
Unfortunately, this entire article is a little off. Sure the average pay is that high…but that is including the pay of supervisors and principles that never even teach a student. The average pay for a teacher with a B.S. degree in Mississippi? Just over 20k, yet their average supervisor pay? Near 40-50k. Its all a cleverly designed myth” to avoid having tax payers ask for more money in education.
Wake up America – your government has been at social war with you for decades.
This was a great refrence thank you.
I just looked at North Carolina’s teacher’s salary for 2007-2008 on their website and they had $58,000 (based off 31 years of experience) w/ just a Bachelor’s. $70,000 average in the UK?
Assuming the school in which the teacher is employmed is not year round, how does he/she get paid during the summer? How is that worked into the contract?
I’m moving to the UK…….
I can answer that……….your contract specifies a total number of school days that are worked. For example, just off the wall, you work 252 days which is the actual school year. You get paid ONLY for those 252 days saying that the salary for those days worked is $32,000.
The $32,000 is then divided by 12 months which gives you salary during the summer when you are teaching. Some people say, you’re so lucky, you get paid during the summer for not working.
Not the case. The case is you’re getting “less” salary during the months you work because it’s stretched to cover a full year. But I think it works out great.
Oops, mistake in what I posted…….should say “……is then divided by 12 months which gives you salary during the summer when you are NOT teaching……..”
The salaries vary from county to county. Sometimes even town to town. Generally they are very high in Fairfield County. As you move east and north they are less. But in comparing them to the majority of the country I think we have it pretty good here in Connecticut.
I am in my 8th year with a Master’s degree and make around 65K. Although that won’t make me rich, I get close to a $5000 raise each year until step 13. Making 90 K in 5 years sounds pretty good to me to have summers off. I am happy with the salary scale.
They use division. If you make 45,000 a year they divide that by 12. And thats how much you make each month.
I am entering my sixth year of teaching. I receive 59,600 per year. This is for 12months. THis is for 08 09 school. THis is in Calif. I was sur[rise to see how low some states pay.
It is avg over 12 months.
The way a contract works with a teacher (at least in TN) is that you sign to either get paid for the time you are in school or you have the option to get paid weekly in the summer as well (this is the best option). Say you and your next door teacher both graduate college the same year, and you choose to get checks throughout the year and she chooses only the school year option. Your checks might be smaller than the teacher next door to you, but you would get checks in the summer and she wouldn’t.
Summer school? 31 years? How could any teacher survive 31 years and teach summer school. . . and not have twitches, grey hair, twitches, and high blood pressure. NC has a base state pay plus a local supplement. Chapel Hill and Wake County (Raleigh) have the highest. Still, you’ll get 5 periods a day, duty during lunch and probably before or after school (no extra pay for that), and more headaches than a factory’s load of Tylenol (super strength) can handle. Are there no bankers? Lawyers? At least they get well paid for their ulcers.
It is usually automatically spread over 12 months.
i find that teaching is great help for students who take advantage of this because they make you feel good whether the pay isn’t but making progress in someone else’s life really makes the years in college worth while and my salary is 55,920 in south texas
please, we need all of you to emigrate.
Even SouthKorean teachers getting aver $40000/year
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Don’t know where this data came from but I would love to be making 34K like in South Dakota! I teach high school in Louisiana and I make — hope you are sitting down— $26,500 per year! Unbelieveable isn’t it!
I am broken up between majoring in math or physics. my ultimate goal is to teach one of the two. is there a difference in pay, specifically for NJ, and if so, aprox how much?
also, if i got a bachelors in math, let’s say how would i go about teaching. i guess i would have to get certified or something…how exactly does that work without majoring in education? THNX
how much of salary is lost due to taxes? we make a lot in Canada (right now with 2 degrees and working vice principal, making over 80 000) – but probably half is lost to taxes, all told. Is it the same in the USA?
on long island the average salary is about $80,000 a year. and teaching over 10 years will boost you to and over $100,000 a year. i think a little over paid since teachers in schools that have much harder teaching environments just barely make half that.
Many of you are talking about salaries, what about unions. That is the real issue, if you have a union at least they will fight for you to receive an increase and your benefits. Long Island has a nice salary, but ask about some of their stipulations.
Are there any other cities/board of eds in the country that are experiencing a rush of very young teachers. In chicago, 8-10 or more years veteran teachers are being pushed out of the system to make way for new teachers. School level or subject do not make any differnce. Salary is based on education and experience only. Lot of charters popping up under the unoin.
I’m on a serious mission collegues! I teach and reside in Boise, Idaho. I have a BA in Marketing and teaching certificate with 20 extra Early Childhood components, but am most certainly NOT making this “AVERAGE” teaching salary amount that’s posted! We do have a Union, but our voices are still not being heard where it really counts; to those who continue making these regulations for us but haven’t stepped foot in a classroom in years! I make $31,000 a year. Not bad, but I’m a single mother and have almost $1,000 out of my check each month….needless to say I work for benefits and also have a second job at night. This week alone I pawn my daughter off three nights in a row right after school to cocktail and serve. Hit the bed around 12:30 and rise at 5:30 to do it all over again! Mind you, I did not start at this pay. It was $26,000 and I’ve had to take extra classes for credit (that I paid for to move over on the pay scale to get more each month.) Sooo…back to my mission….. I’m collect input from every state…beginnnig salaries, administrator salaries, how many “classified” are in your school to help pull kids or in the classroom, aids, last raise, what your School District has done for your school lately, what your state department of ed. has done for your state lately, are there actual representatives of your state department that have even BEEN a teacher, do they help with professional development, what’s your pay scale consist of and how many credits before you can move over….you know, for them to tell us what we are worth, yet again.??? Help! I’m taking it all! Mission in Idaho!
You have all made excellent points. Just as with politics, the statistics can be made to lie. The salaries stated for educators ALWAYS include administrators and other higher paid employees.
As a high school administrator, in one of the best school systems in Georgia, I make $65K/year with 15 years experience. I am on a 220 day contract and usually work from 6 am to whenever the last sporting event is completed on campus and within 100 miles of the school (Usually home by 11 on game days).
It has been frustrating for me to place more and more pressure on my teachers to perform for less than 1% COLAs every year. I cannot in good conscience ask them fro more than they are already doing to help our kids without losing many of the younger teachers to attrition.
I have long been an opponent of NLCB and with the stress my wife has been under as a 5th grade teacher I am even more firm in my opposition to it. Save education; Save our Teachers!!!
I’m not a teacher and I don’t mean to sound mean or condescending but why do teachers stay in a profession that doesn’t pay a fair wage. For years I’ve heard teachers talking about the inconsistencies in wages between teachers in other states and teachers and the administration. I’m not a teacher (I’m an engineer) so I have a hard time understanding. I am on the outside looking in but have done some substitute teaching. I can say that some teachers earn everything they get paid and deserve more while some teachers really should look into another profession. With that bit of background information again I ask why teachers stay in a profession that pays so poorly?
Brad, there are a few reasons why teachers stay teachers. first, we love making a difference in kids lives. We an truly have an impact at a young age. Second, teachers have summers off and we get holidays off so we can spend time with our families. We also have decent health care depending on the district you are with. I can’t speak for all districts out there but my district pays pretty well and as a family with 2 kids we are doing fine financially.
Ryan
Brad, I don’t believe you were being mean or rude, your question is legit! However, as you stated yourself, “you do not know”. This, unfortunately, goes for many in our society today. This is my persepective. I spent five years to receive a Business degree and then realized my passion was with children. I chose to return and get my teaching certificate, but outside factors made this road way longer than anticipated. Needless to say my time in the required schooling and monies I spent to become a teacher is hard to just walk away from because of my love for children. Each morning when my class enters my room, I am not only responsible to “educate” them by the state standards and curriculum, I have now become a body guard, nurse, doctor, therapist, life skills and manners coach and in some cases a step-parent. Firedrills, lock-downs, evacuations, epi pens, cpr, crisis team are also part of our trainings. (Billy: not real name) One May morning I was met at the office by a Billy’s new Foster parent and Health and Welfare. Billy had finally returned to school after an episode the week before of “chicken pox”. Billy really returned after his father was arrested for beating Billy so badly with a belt on his back and buttocks he couldn’t move. He was not sent to school for fear WE would find out. Well, someone had previously. How long had Billy been living this way and hiding it? It wasn’t in his writings. Billy wasn’t at his grade level academically, but he knew he was in a safe haven, consistent accountability, warm meals, hugs and laughter. Do you honestly think Billy cared at all what he got on that test that day? Speaking of NCLB?!!! Billy knew he would be sent home again at the end of the day! Billy was seven years old!! Unfortunately, Ryan, your comment about summers and Holidays off are part of why teachers do get such a bad wrap. Those are fighting words for me when people comment on that. I am a single parent of two! I work another job because my salary doesn’t cut it. I work on Holidays and all summer long. Along with paying for and educating myself more by taking classes to move over on the payscale of my career! I also don’t have aids to help in the room and take my work home constantly. Bottom line…it’s absolutely disheartening that we value our educator’s so little when in fact they are helping form little minds to be that surgeon or pilot for your family someday!
Well colleagues, I am embarking on a journey as a Childhood Special Education Teacher and I am looking for the best place to start my teaching career. When i say the best place i mean in terms of opportunities and meeting new people who have the same philosophy that I have which is that “every child can learn” and that as teachers we have to do everything that we can do to make sure that they do learn. I also want a change from the environment i live in and I’m looking at places like connecticut and new jersey etc. Viewing this site has provided me with many oppportunities and i look forward to learning more…thanks..
A teacher to Heart…
Teahers will always be under paid in the USA. Government control causes the problems in all public schools. Plus paying to many poor adminstrators 85k in Alaska for doing very little and they only need 3 years as a teacher and a masters to become leaders in Education. This makes for very poor leaders which results in poor schools.Like all states Alaska has to many poor leaders and very poor schools.
not here in michigan when a teacher makes $448 a day and that is for 10 months not including the district paying for there benefits
I live in California in the S.F. Bay Area. I make 78000 a year. I work 188 days (paid anyway). I’m in my twelfth year. Sounds good?? It costs an average of $600000 to buy a cracker box, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with 1100 square feet. 78000 doesn’t go very far when you have a $3200 house payment. It’s all relative to the cost-of-living.
Teachers make out big time. Look at the lady above …..9 months of work at $8666 a month. If teachers want to make more money, then they can be on committees.
I used to do teacher retirement plans and I saw HUNDREDS of paystubs. How about a “reading specialist” in 1997 making $92000? How about an “earth science high school teacher making $100,000 in 2000? These salaries are for 9 months of work.
Give me a break. Teachers have the country by the balls and it is because of the TEACHERS’ unions. They are massive. Look at the schools. The schools are ugly war zones. The teachers ALSO GET full medical, dental, and so forth. They have to (state law in California) put 8% of their salary into the retirement system, but GUESS WHAT- the state matches that 100%-who else do you know in any company that gets a 100% match up to 8% of their salary? Nobody excetp the carmakers and they are going out of business. Never forget either I mention again, that this is for 9 months of work.
All my life I have been in situations where I have to listen to the teachers constantly whining about how they think they don’t make enough money. I think they should all be reprimanded as being unappreciative, uninformed about the rest of the people’s salaries ….they have no clue about how good they have it.
I worked for 30 years as a high school special education teacher, have a BA and a MS. My last year I just broke the $50000 mark(gross not net).For much of the first 10 years I was eligible for food stamps (family of five) and other programs for those below certain income criteria. I loved the challenge of the job, loved making a difference and enjoyed the school atmosphere. Always worked summer jobs to get by. Never thought I was overpaid, however.
I don’t know why you think teachers have it made. I have been teaching for 5 years and make $41,000 a year at one of the highest paying school districts in Arkansas. And I certainly don’t have full benefits. It would be $787 a month to have insurance on myself, my husband, and daughter. And that doesn’t include any dental, vision, or additional coverage except a $5000 life policy. They just passed a law in 2006 that finally gave teachers here lunch breaks. Until then the law actually said that we only had to be given lunch breaks 80% of the time. I think the teachers unions are a good thing or we still wouldn’t have what every everyone else has a legal right to – a chance to each lunch.
Im a single mother of three with little help from the unemployed father. How can I become a teacher with just 1 year of community college under my belt.I need to support my family. I would appreciate some suggestions on how to get stared?
After reading some of the comments I must post my two cents. I am a first year teacher in the Mississippi Delta. I am from the state and understand a little of what goes on. I did not go into teaching for the money, however I do feel like I should complain when I make so little yet am held accountable for little Johnny’s grades when he is yet to bring a pencil to class. If I am going to put my reputaion as a professional out on the line I would like to be duly compensated for it. As far as the pay goes; Here I make base 31,900. I believe that this 1k above the state base. I also coach and recieve no restituion. I have been punched twice this year breaking up fights. I don’t know where everyone is getting this free dental and health insurance, because in mississippi we must pay for dental, and have a large deductible on our health coverage. I take work home with me at night, can’t sleep because my administration thought it would be funny to put me in a SATP class(US history). I am currently looking to relocate, because I teach in a school of 1,100, have 5 SR officers, and one of the most dangerous gang infested areas in the state. I just had to get a few things off my chest, because im sorry, my 848.63 is not enough for what I do.
…and that 848.63 is every two weeks….throw 350 in rent, 150 in utilities, car payment, insurance, groceries, student loans, and dr/meds what are you left with. I don’t care where you live and how you want to say “Pay is reflective in the cost of living” teachers dont get paid enough. I like to think of myself as modest and somewhat frugal, but 1600 a month bring home? THANK BAJEESUS I don’t have a family!
Teachers don’t just work 9 months out of the year. Lots of states go mid-August through June. Plus, as a professional, a teacher is expected to prepare classes, crunch student assessment data, write grants for classroom/school funding, investigate new curriculum, cross-curricular opportunities, and technology, as well as keep abreast of brain research, at a minimum. When school is in session, a teacher must work at least 55 hours per week if she actually wants to provide sufficient student feedback (grade, record, turn back), so all of the above happens during that alleged 3 month break.
I just read all the replys and I really don’t know what to say. I am a nurse in the military right now. I am about to retire and I have my master’s in education. I really want to teach, because it is my second love, first being patient care. Some of the reply’s actually scares me. But when I think about it. Just like nursing, you really shouldn’t go into that career field for the money. You should like what you do, and make the best of it as much as you can. I just want to say I really salute all the teachers in the world. You guys do an outstanding job day in and day out.
Hey the reply talking about how much they make in Michigan. Sad part about that is most kids who graduate from some michigan schools can neither read properly or spell. They only know how to sound spell. I am from Arkansas and live in Michigan now. Arkansas teachers are the lowest paid teachers but at least my kids could read and spell when they graduated. I have step-kids that graduated from a Michigan school that can’t even help there 1st grade kids cause they don’t know how. So much for higher paid teachers.
That’s nice. Let’s just make sweeping generalizations about every person that has ever come out of Michigan’s school system.
I’m not a teacher but my wife and a few of my friends are teachers. I hear some of the horror stories about kids and their parents. I wouldn’t want to be teacher because I’d end up losing my cool and getting fired.
Today’s teachers have a tougher curriculum to teach and their work day doesn’t end when they leave the school as most people think. Many good teachers spend 2 hours or more at home doing work after school. Teachers deserve every cent they get and then some.
Geee I didn’t know “most kids” was making a sweeping generalization about everyone coming out of Michigan schools. My bad.
I have been teaching in SC for over 20 years now. It is indecent the way we are treated, least in my district. We spend hours doing useless, detailed lesson plans that never seem to please the powers that be. They ride us on everything, teaching has no longer been a priority, it is meetings after meeting, and forms beyond what you would understand. I spend hours everyday filling out paperwork and I never have time to prepare for my classes the way I would like. To top that off, our District office has over spent on themselves so now they are trying to run off our best teachers to cut salary expenses. We are now told what to teach, how to teach it and even when to teach it. We have very little control over what we teach. We aren’t even allowed to teach anything that is not in the standards, which is a huge injustice to the students. The district office thinks we have to constantly be watched to make sure we are teaching correctly. The problem is they were all terrible teachers and wouldn’t know good teaching if they saw it. We also haven’t had a raise from the district in 10 years. And we do spend hours at home doing work and we have to work some during the summer. So I would so not recommend anyone teaching here in SC. I hate to say that but it just isn’t worth the stress and what it does to your life.
I am actually UK teacher trying to move to US. With regards to UK teachers being highly paid I would say not. New teacher salary is currently less than £18k sterling, the most pay increase you get for first 5 years is under £500 and not compulsory as you are earning more than the UK minimum wage. You have to work 5 years to get on a higher pay scale, £23k or more, and many schools expect these 5 years to be in a UK school due to the rigid curriculum. You have this to deal with constantly eg. UK Govt says you MUST do 1 hr of literacy every morning. This MUST be divided into 15 mins start on carpet, 30 mins main activity, 15 mins plenary to end. The same applies to maths, science etc. The average primary teacher works around 60-70hrs a week according to Govt website, hours are even longer for secondary teachers. I’m nopt saying Im coming to US for an easy break, because I believe teaching is a vocation, not a career, and you can only succeed if you love it. Just a warning that UK teaching is probably comparable in terms of wages and teaching circumstances, not better.
Hey Terry. I hope it’s not grammar which you teach/taught (it’s neither/nor or either/or; NOT neither/or).
I have taught in Georgia for over 13 years, and the situation here is almost identical to what AL in South Carolina described. Meetings, meetings, meetings, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, kids coming to school with no supplies, not completing their work, or they are too sick/hungry/tired to learn. There is no accountability for the families whatsoever. The PTA is typically comprised more of administrators and teachers than parents (and yes, we are expected to pay PTA dues!). A huge chunk of the budget is used for ESOL instruction for students who aren’t even here legally. Administrators and county officials who can’t even be bothered to return phone calls or emails make way more than us. Over the years the amount we are expected to teach children to mastery has increased exponentially, yet the length of the school day and year has remained the same, while the kids’ attention span has dramatically decreased. Computers are outdated and crash. All of this has to do with the fact that the school systems are run by the government. If they were to be turned over to the private sector and there was a profit motive involved, you can bet we would see competitive salaries and top-of-the-line equipment. Don’t say it can’t be done- we are in charge of providing the intellectual capitol for America’s economic future- why can’t the big businesses help to provide corporate sponsorship? In the long run, it’s for their best interest.
check out the Sarasota and Manatee County Schools in Florida. They were hiring teachers.
Terry,
It IS a sweeping generalization and you ARE a **********.
Hey everyone is entitled to their opinion and the people I have met up here are just as I have stated. Even people with high paying jobs. So excuse me if I have offened anyone by stating the truth as I have seen it. And it shows your caliber of speech since you have to stoop to symbols for words.
Terry,
Being able to recite the NASCAR line-up is not reading, sorry. Maybe load up the double-wide and move back to Arkansas, eh?
i mean really what is the purpose of this chat line….i mean can this really help my stress….i am so sick og being turned down by jobs…or having to drive basically to the suburbs for work…..normally theres no bus line and being african american..you just simply dont have the means of transportation because they wont give us any jobs…
Terry, you might want to learn the difference between “their” and “there”. Also, learn what makes a complete sentence.
Hey, I never said I taught school anywhere and I sure don’t know the Nascar line-up. And you should go to Arkansas and check out some of the houses and double-wides before you bad mouth them. At least they are worth want they sell for. My step-daughter calls her home up here a cardboard mansion.
I must say first that I am a 31 year old male who has just found his “calling”. I will teach. I am thinking that I want to teach history. Truthfully, teachers really don’t make much when you consider everything they have to deal with. On the flip side, i do think that most teachers knew that when they signed up to teach! If you are given to profit and consumerism, my advice is to pick another vocation. If you love to share knowledge and inspire people…then teaching has to be the only option. It is painfully obvious that the antiquated models of yester years are not working and they probably never really did. I think that the educational system has missed its mark. It has failed to identify student strengths and weaknesses. It has failed to identify teachers that are not getting their jobs done, and they have failed to reward those of you (teachers) who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. I have a very lucrative small business and have manage to save a small sum. My life is no longer driven by gain. I will honestly be able to tell my students that i am there for them and not just because my job is “easy”. If teaching is “work” for you, pick another field!!. Truthfully, if you picked any vocation for the money, you picked wrong i think. Anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth. Oh yeah, if you’re uncool, these kids won’t listen to you! I wear Air Jordans and listen to the rap music of today. I have smoked weed in my day, been drunk off my ass, and arrested too! In other words, I am “real”. I do think that I can relate to them. I am really only interested in teaching in the youth correctional facilities, or maybe the alternative schools. They pay more, and I think that the gratification is exponentially more than in the traditional schools. Peace.
Tobian…Thank you for that last comment! My goal is to have my degree in three years and become a teacher as well. Even though in three years I will be making more at my job now than I will as I teacher I still want to do it and it is because I know its my passion. I might kick myself in the butt once I start comparing paychecks but I know I will at least go to work every morning excited and happy that I am getting paid to do something I love. Not very many people love their job, sure they may be making five times what teachers make but at the end of the day they still are not happy. I help out at schools now and truth is there are many teachers who do not know how to be “real” and relate to the kids and that is why they complain so much when the students “act up”. We need more teachers like Tobian who still understand what it’s like to be at that age and instead of being so critical all the time, be understanding and become their friend. Its sad that teachers do not get paid more for what they do but it is more sad if you are not a teacher for simply the love for the students.
I have to say I am happy that I have come across this site. I have gained a lot of knowledge by reading everyone’s’ opinions on the subject matter. I believe what is really important is the fact that you’re doing something that you love to do, regardless of the pay. True, you should be compensated for your hard work and efforts, but let the pay be last in what you look for. I am currently pursuing my educational certification so that I may teach history and political science. I have worked in job fields where my salary was 42k+ a year, but its not what I wanted to do. So I encourage all of you that are teaching because you want to and you love having that impact on the youth, to continue to do so, because we are a rare commodity. Good luck to you all.
to jake- I can’t believe being African American you can’t find a job. Come to NY- I taught in an urban school last year in the Capital Region. I lost my job to an African American because we did not have enough A.A. teachers/ administrators in the district. The district has made it blatantly clear through their hiring the past few years that their intent is to hire African Americans. (qualified or not).
To Tobian- and any other newbies and want-to-be teachers- make sure you get your SPED degree if you want a job- esp if you want to teach social studies or ELA. There ARE NOT jobs out there in these areas- not in upstate NY anyway. However schools are dying to find SPED teachers. That’s one piece of advice I wish I had not ignored. Even if you don’t want to teach it- it’s at least a foot in the door.
Great advice I am of East-Indian descent and living in the great country of Canada. Never encountered any racism in hiring practices here. However I am sure it exists to some extent.
Great advice and love this site.
I myself am a researcher and freelance writer/editor. Does anyone out there know of any internet research jobs or freelance writing jobs out there. Either Canada or U.S. ?
Would appreciate any response.
Thanks,
Ratna
Maybe the racism it too subtle for you to see it, I would suggest that you start reading some history of how the Indians were virtually wiped out in Canada and the Americas, and then come up to date.
I’m a special ed teacher in California/San Francisco Bay Area (11 years )…I make $106,000, which after reading these posts sounds like a lot; however, due to the cost of living it is not! Teachers should get paid much more than they do. I cannot afford a house even on this salary.
God bless all of you, I feel fortunate that I’m at least getting a descent wage.
Faheem Majeed, Ratna did not say there was no racism. She only said she had not encountered itm. None of us should. Where are you from, Faheed, what is your lineage? Where do your PEOPLE come from?
Kelli, I can understand you not taking too well to faheems comment as it comes off rude at first, but being a muslim(not even a practicing one at that), american-pakistani, I have encountered racism not only in general but also with the work place as well as during job interviews after they realize that i am not Latino but pakistani. Im sure you havent experienced racism yourself So please try and refrain from your prejudices and racist statements by making sarcastic remarks as to where someones LINEAGE lies along with where someones PEOPLE come from. After your comment Faheems comment which may have resulted from dealing with racism doesn’t appear HALF as rude as yours.
Average teacher salaries by state can be very misleading. They would include the higher paid inner city teachers and I’m not sure if administrators’ salaries would also be included, but those are MUCH higher than the classroom teachers’ pay. It would be more meaningful to see average teacher salaries by district, IF they only included classroom teachers and were sure to exclude the salaries of administrators. Does anybody know of a website with that kind of information?
If you really want to see what you would make as a teacher just go to the Department of Education’s website in the state where you live. They will have a breakdown of yearly payscales based on education level, experience, etc. To even be more specific, you can go to district websites and they also may have information there. By looking to averages for how much you will make is misleading. If you are going into this field, or looking to go into this field expecting to get rich, I suggest you do something else. However, it is very rewarding I must say.
My hubby has been teaching Science for 19 years in So. Calif. public school. He has a Master’s in Biology plus 75 units towards his doctorate. He makes 90k a year. He runs programs in science advancement all throughout the year, day and night without extra pay. I think he earns every penny and then some and they are d@mn lucky to have him.
First off, i think that teachers are great teachers until there tenur then most of them suck and they dont [care] about anything because they are protected by the school.
> until there tenure < ???
until THEIR tenure:
“THERE” denotes “in or at that place, as opposed to ‘here’.
“THEIR” denotes a form of the possessive case of THEY used as an attributive adjective, before a noun. Example: their home; their rights as citizens.
How ironic.
There are some great points being made here. One thing I don’t see people considering is cost of living vs. wage. I’m a special ed teacher in California (intern) and make approximately 34k a year. Once I’m credentialed that will jump to about 50k and I’ll top out at about 84k in 12 years. However, many people don’t realize that here in CA we don’t have an option for an “education degree”. We get a BA/BS in whatever and then have 2 more years of full time school to become fully credentialed. Therefore, in almost any state CA teachers make more due to our post BA/BS units..
Anyway, back to my point: Cost of living. Yes, some states pay teachers less than others, but what does a house cost there?
Here in CA, even a teacher who is making 80k a year can’t secure a mortgage for a house in any decent area (I mean decent as in remotely livable). However, in say Texas one could buy a decent house for under 100k, so making even 30k a year you could at least afford a home!
I would advise you to use proper grammar, word choice, and punctuation before criticizing anyone in print. Your teachers must have, as you say, sucked.
Dear Pregnant Republican,
Are you a teacher? Do you have tenure? (note the spelling). You are focusing your hostility towards the wrong folks, I bet it bothers you that we have a welfare system as well. Aren’t we in the middle of a 700 billion dollar bailout for people who have done nothing but lie to us for almost a decade? Good work on frying the smallest fish possible. You should be grateful that this country has an extremely dedicated (and underpaid)education force, that rarely, if ever, gets the praise it deserves. If anything it gets rather ignorant messages like yours.
sincerely,
ben
This article is not that accurate at all. Who ever did their research must have pulled numbers out of a hat because the starting pay for teachers in Miami is at least 38,000- 39,000 not 34,000. A teacher would not work in miami for 34,000 he/she would be crying themselves to sleep at night. Also Broward County pays more than miami. Starting pay is about 40,000. So the South Floridans are actually doing well.
But remember a salary also has to go with your cost of living. So if you live in NY your salary mght be 100,000 but it costs that much to live there. Same thing with the UK and other states.
“Pregnant republican” simply voiced her opinion. That her thoughts are not supported by actual facts and only by anecdotal experience is typical of the type of thinking that continues to divide our country politically and publically. I find it interesting that “pregnant” seems to have neglected to educate herself and now wants to blame the system.
Please help! I am living in Miami, FL and I will receive my bachelors degree in elementary education this year. What states offer the best salary for beginning teachers? I want to be as close to Florida as possible. Thank you.
Hello everyone!! I live in Atlanta, Ga but I’m looking to relocate to another state because things are a little hectic and competitive here and most of the school systems are doing hiring freezes for the upcoming yr. I am looking for some information on teacher salaries in GA’s surrounding states. I am currently looking into Florida for right now and have submitted my resume to the Duval Co. School System. But I’m not sure what the starting salary is for Florida’s schools? And I am open to any other comments and info on other states as well like TN, NC, SC, VA, TX etc… but I kinda want to live in the major cities of those states. I am 23 yrs old and I dont have any teaching experience other than substituting for a few months. I have a Bachelors in Sociology and I just recently graduated with my Masters in Education. PLEASE HELP!!!
Shaundrika
I teach in a district, when I last checked, was the highest paid in the state (SC). The state has made millions of dollars in budget cuts. Next year we will not have any aids or a school nurse. They have also frozen any new hires. I will not receive my raise next year. Also, they are not going to give nationaly certified teachers their bonus, as they promised. From what I hear, the whole state is facing the same. However, like many others on this page. I can’t leave because I love it too much. From what I have hear FL is your best bet if your looking for money.
Johnny, I also teach in SC and have National Board certification. Your district cannot opt out of paying the stipend to its certified teachers. That is paid by the state. They have reviewed the past policy of loaning the application costs, and that will most likely not be done anymore.
Our district’s salaries are frozen, also. As far as I know, new hires are not, though. But you will move up on the pay scale because of your years of experience.
I agree with your advice to Shaundrika. If you are looking to make decent money, FL would be much better than SC. I’m not sure if all states/districts calculate salary the same way, but here, you would be on a Master’s Degree level, but with 0 years of experience. In my district, that would be about $36,000/year. I’m not sure which district Johnny teaches in, but if it’s the one I’ve always heard to be the highest paying, your base would be about $39,500. It looks like in Broward county (the first FL county that came to mind), you would make about $42,500. Hope that helps some. You can google any county’s teacher salary schedule, as far as I know, so happy googling!
Oh, and as someone else mentioned, be sure to check the cost of living index for the area, as well, and compare them. You can google that, too!
So i have read almost every comment here and by the looks of it some of you are not very dedicated to what you do,or dont like it very much. Some of you have started arguments over the most ridiculouse things. Is that the example you set for your students? If so dont’ expect anything much better from them. You guys complain about salary and gang fights and bla bla bla…well its partly your fault. Instead complaining why dont you do somthing about it…”ow but adminstration wont listen to me” then take it into your own hands. EVERYONE knows teachers dont get paid what they are worth ,so dont act like it was a big surprise. boohoo get over. it could be worst.
If you dont love it dont do it its as simple as that. But dont complain about it because you made the choice to become a teacher all by yourself…and if you were swayed into doing it by someone else then your an idoit. teaching requieres love dedication and patience. most of which most of you dont have. Quit your bitching and solve your problems rather than complaining about it. OW by the way for any of you smartasses that are going to correct my gramatical errors or yet again complain im a highschool student. Your number one critic. your students are what you make them. show them fear anger or fustration and they will take full advantage of it regardless of what the consequences will be.
I’ve decided I want to become a principal in an elementary school in Texas. I feel very passionate about it. I have a bachelors in social work and am currently checking out what I need to do to start teaching. I also have an appointment with an academic advisor for my graduate work. Basically I would like to hear anything and everything about the work of a principal. Please help. As far as everyone being underpaid, coming from the social work field I very much understand. Thank you for all you do.
OK WELL I HAVE READ ALMOST ALL OF THE POSTS. I FIRST WANT TO SAY JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE DONE IT ALL DOESN’T MEAN YOU KNOW IT ALL. IF YOU HAVE 6 CLASSES A DAY(7 DAY SCHEDULE WITH 1 OFF PERIOD) HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS BEEN TO JAIL, SMOKED WEED, OR WHATEVER ELSE?(TOBIAN AND VANESSA). EVERYBODY HAS DONE SOMETHING THEIR NOT PROUD OF OR SOMETHING THAT GOT THEM INTO TROUBLE. IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT RELATING. SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND. SECONDLY LALALALA W/E OR WHOEVER YOU ARE (I COULD CARE LESS) THESE PEOPLE AREN’T ON HERE TRYING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR JOBS THEY NEED TO VENT. THEY COME ON HERE TO TALK TO THEIR FELLOW TEACHERS. THE SAME WAY THEY DO IN SCHOOL. HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU KNOW GO INTO A JOB AND ACTUALLY LOVE IT? PEOPLE WORK BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WENT INTO THESE JOB FIELDS BECAUSE THEY LOVE CHILDREN AND TEACHING. WHILE OTHERS WENT INTO IT BECAUSE OF FAMILY OR WANTING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS OFF. LIKE IT EASY FOR SOMEONE TO GO TO SCHOOL FOUR OR MORE YEARS; ALREADY OWING STUDENT LOANS AND SOME OF YOU SUCKERS SUGGEST THEY CHANGE THEIR FIELDS. ITS SAD WHEN PEOPLE GET ON HERE AND TRY TO BELITTLE ANOTHER PERSON BECAUSE OF THEIR FEELINGS AND THEIR OPINOINS ABOUT SOMETHING. YOU DON’T KNOW THESE PEOPLE. I WAS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. I’M NOW AN INTERN AT A HIGH SCHOOL(WALTER L. COHEN HIGH SCHOOL, LOOK IT UP). I WANTED TO BE A LAWYER, BUT I HAVE CHILDREN NOW SO I’M GOING INTO A FIELD WHERE I CAN HAVE MY WEEKENDS, EVENINGS, HOLIDAYS, AND SUMMERS OFF WITH MY BABIES. THEY ARE 2 AND 3 YEARS OLD, DAYCARES DON’T OPERATE OTHER THAN NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. TEACHERS IN LA. DON’T MAKE MUCH AND THE COST OF LIVING IS OUTRAGEOUS; ESPECIALLY SINCE KATRINA. I HAVE WORKED AT A K-8 GRADE SCHOOL(LAUREL ELEMENTARY LOOK IT UP) AND AN ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL(SCHWATRZ THE WELCOME SCHOOL. LOOK IT UP). I’VE HAD CHILDREN CURSE ME OUT, WANT TO FIGHT ME, AND THE WHOLE NINE. I BLAME THE PARENTS. THEY ACT ACCORDING TO HOW THEIR PARENTS ALLOW THEM TO ACT. SOME OF THOSE KIDS WERE IN GROUP HOMES, SOME HAD PARENTS STRUNG OUT ON DRUGS, SOME WERE THERE BY A JUDGE’S ORDER, SOME WERE ON PROBATION(I’M TALKING MAJOR CHARGES GUNS, DRUGS, THEFT, THE WHOLE NINE. LOOK IT UP), ALL KINDS OF STUFF. SO YOU CAN’T ALWAYS BLAME THE TEACHER. SITUATIONS ARE DIFFERENT. WELL I’VE SAID ENOUGH AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE BEING REAL AND THIS AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES A BETTER TEACHER WELL GUESS WHAT I AM 24 YEARS OLD, A BLACK FEMALE, FROM THE HOOD, NEW ORLEANS, LA BORN AND RAISED, STILL LIVE IN NEW ORLEANS. WENT TO THE WORST SCHOOLS, BEEN TO JAIL, LIVED IN THE WORST AREAS, GOT PUT OUT OF SCHOOL FOR FIGHTING, AND I DON’T RELY ON THAT TO GET THE JOB DONE. I JUST GO IN THERE AND DEMAND MY RESPECT, EVEN HAVE TO TAKE IT FROM SOME. ALL THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HERE ARE BAD AND WERE BAD BEFORE I CAME ABOUT. MY MAMA USED TO TELL US THE STORIES. OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ALL “BLACK” SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE AND CATHOLIC ARE ALWAYS MOSTLY “WHITE” HERE IN NEW ORLEANS. I WENT TO S. J. GREEN MIDDLE SCHOOL 1996-1999 L.E. RABOUIN 1999-2000 W.L. COHEN 2000-2001 ALCEE FORTIER 2001-2002 AND JOHN MCDONOGH AKA JOHN MAC 2003-2004, AND GUESS WHAT ELSE I HAD “WHITE TEACHERS WHO DIDN’T HAVE CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS OR DID DRUGS WHO GOT THEIR RESPECT. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU PUTTING YOUR FOOT DOWN. NOT YOUR CRIMINOLOGY (TOBIAN AND VANESSA). I DONE ALL THAT, BUT THAT DON’T MAKE IT ANY EASIER FOR YOU TO TEACH UNDERPRIVILAGED CHILDREN. WHAT I FOUND THAT WORKS IS STANDING YOUR GROUND, NOT SHOWING FEAR, AND LETTING THEM KNOW WHO HAS THE UPPER HAND.
Good luck on becoming a principal. I am going to school part time to become a special education teacher. This is what I always wanted to do. I love special needs children, youth, and adults.
First year teacher salary in HEB ISD near Fort Worth, Texas is 47500. Cost of living is not bad. The whole Fort Worth side of the DFW Metroplex is affordable. There are good schools where you can teach and not just police. I am a principal and hire teachers every year outside of FW. Suburban districts pay a little less, but turnover is not near as high as FW, Dallas or Arlington.
Hey Texas,
To be a principal you must have at least two years of teaching experience. In most schools, you become an assistant principal first and then can be given a principalship.
Since you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can find an alternative certification program. Within a few months, you can have the training required to start teaching if you can find a job. You then teach a year on a probationary certificate. While getting your teaching down, go to school at night and work on your master’s in educational administration. Then you must take a state test and get hired.
It’s a great job. Some days are tough, but I love it.
I love my job and did not become a teacher for the money. But I would love to know what school district on Long Island pays $80,000. I have been teaching for 7 years and don’t make close to that. With a $3000 mtg payment,$400 for oil and $200 for electric a month I would love to make that much!
After reading all these comments, I think I have been completely dissuaded from pursuing a teaching career.
I know where I went to high school, starting pay for a teacher is 32,000 dollars a year, which I consider hardly enough to live on.
The NH state average starting ( for a teacher ) is 30,000, which I would say is a slap in the face to anyone who has a bachelors, and is qualified to teach.
Heck, I have a friend who started off making 38,000 with a GED, and having passed his Series 7, working for an investment firm.
I know they say you should go into the field of teaching because you love it, and want to make a difference, but honestly..
These salaries are just a slap in the face.
I guess I’ll have to start thinking about other options.
Not only is the pay a slap in the many slaps.
You do what is right for the child or you tell the truth and you get the blame for whatever doesn’t happen the way the A and the P want. The summer off is the only reason to be a teacher. And you get to hear “what a saint you are to put up with these kids today” It’s nice to have health insurance during this employment but now it is being discussed about lowering these benefits
If want to teach, try subbing for a while and you will be convinced.
Not only is the pay a slap in the face but the administrators and parents add many more slaps.
You do what is right for the child or you tell the truth and you get the blame for whatever doesn’t happen the way the A and the P want. The summer off is the only reason to be a teacher. And you get to hear “what a saint you are to put up with these kids today” It’s nice to have health insurance during this employment but now it is being discussed about lowering these benefits
If you want to teach, try subbing for a while and you will be convinced.
Also, the comment “It will be different when I have my own classroom” You will spend atleast 5 years thinking you are making a difference and then you will begin the process of being slowly disillusioned about why you want to see the ‘lightbulb go on’. If you want the feeling, teach your own children or volunteer in school situations where you can leave if you are not appreciated.
I am not a teacher. I am currently a college student and my planned major is business management. I just wanted to say that I loved my teachers. I am from South Dakota and a very small school. Most of my teachers have been at my school for well over 10 years. The teachers may not get paid real well, but they made me the person I am today. They made me work my butt off in order to become a better person. For all you teachers out there… you rock, thanks =)
Oh, and even though I enjoy constructiv criticism, please do not reply back to me tellin me I have a typo. My laptop computer keyboard sucks, and I probably won’t care. Thanks (I meant all of this in the kindest way possible)
I have read all the the above posts. The incorrect spelling is automatically underlined. So why was there so much misspelling? The grammar was atrocious. Aside from that, parents need to be involved in the education of their children. I am not sure how this is to be accomplished, but, it should be done by the administration or the PTA(Parent Teacher Assoc., or whatever it is called). A campaign to involve the parents might be effective. Children need the basic 3 Rs, Reading comprehension so that they can understand a loan agreement for a car. Writing, so they can write coherently on the internet. Arithmetic, so they can balance a check book, and can make change. I have purchased a .60 item from a bake sale, given the high school cheerleader $1.10 and they couldn’t figure out how to give me change. Why was this student a cheerleader? Few people who do not have a checking account have a savings account. This is not a new phenomenon. When I was in high school (I am 60)there were 2 students that I administered tests, I had to read them the questions and write the answers for them, because they couldn’t. I call it passing the buck. You can turn out even a small percentage of these undereducated students and a lot of adults consider the system broken. I think it is broken and not just by the teachers. The administration and the parents must share part of the burden. Those school systems that have unions CAN do something about the situation, instead of just wanting pay raises. I feel the same way about coal miners who continuously ask for pay raises without address their safety issues.
That is my 2 cents worth.
Yeah, umm Diane… GET A LIFE. or find a blog that cares. This is NOT THAT FORUM.
I agree with Diane on the premise that the American Education system is at best below average.
But, we need to delve a bit father into your “terrible” pay scale. The part all of you are conveniently leaving out is benefits. Let us start with that little thing called a pension. How much any of you contributed, from your personal checking accounts, to the pension? Let me help you with math – $0. Yes, that’s called free money, and more that 80% of you qualify, in fact most states only require 5 years to become vested and as a kicker, it is 100% transferable to other states. Allow me to count the other industries that have a pension any more? I’ll go with “none” and add a 99% accuracy disclaimer. As many of us in the other industries can attest to, that option died in the 1990’s, accept for teachers. And we didn’t get to keep the pension, it was sold out from under our feet.
Now let’s go to healthcare, I make good money in IT and I have to pay 70% of my HMO. How much does the average teacher pay? According to the government reports (http://www.cga.ct.gov/2000/rpt/olr/htm/2000-R-1110.htm) you get it for an average state fee of 13%. Now for the real 911, it is not a basic HMO product. Many of my friends are spouses of Teachers and flat refuse the healthcare benefits because they are covered by their spouse’s teacher benefits which are cheaper and far superior to the HMO offerings.
In conclusion, if you pathetic, whining saps can’t calculate your own benefits accurately, then you should not be attempting to teach my child how to add. So, why don’t you all quit crying, and join the Army to get that needed knowledge called “suck it up and drive on!” And while you at it being personally offended by this message, you should check out the unemployment rate for the nation, and then count your blessings that you have a nice cushy job, loaded with free benefits, tenure, only requires you to work 9 months a year, and you have a job to come back too. You people really are pathetic, why don’t you just shut your mouths and concentrate on raising the education level in America so that all the jobs are not gone for your own children!
Who am I: A 19-year veteran of IT and the Army. I’ve worked for major corporations, privately held companies, small businesses, in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Finance, Distribution, Education (yes, just like you), Trade Associations, Insurance, and Agriculture. I’ve been all around this great country of ours and worked in 11 states. I’m proud to be an American and for the 4th time in my life I’m unemployed. I have 4 kids and a wife to support so I will not be unemployed for long. Like I said earlier, count your blessing and spend your energy trying to do you jobs better.
I am mother of 2 kids with 12 years of IT experience. I have a Masters in COmputers. My kids would be going to school next year. I am thinking of moving into Education. This will give me more relaxed work and be with my kids. What do you guys think of the opportunities I have in the Thousand Oaks, CA area? I have never taught in a school setting before but I think I am good with teaching kids. I can teach science, maths and of course computers. Appreciate any input…opportunities, salary, benefits etc.
Thanks
I am considering becoming a P.E. teacher. I was wondering what some other P.E. teachers are making, and if they make the same as any other teacher, particulary in TN. I was would also appreciate some comments from P.E. teachers about their job and if they truly enjoy doing it.
Thank You
I just thought I would share a tidbit of information with those of you who have not been teachers, but have this optimistic view of what teaching is going to be like.
Honestly, and I mean this in the most pleasant way possible, this career can be an absolute nightmare.
I have taught for two years and I was EXTREMELY optimistic before I started teaching, all throughout student teaching I just knew I was going to love it, etc. Things will change for you, mark my words.
Endless paperwork, administration problems, angry/volatile/greedy children who will literally spit in your face, steal your stuff, and tell you to f*ck off (I worked in elementary by the way). Parents won’t do anything about it and you will be subjected to much scrutiny and hours upon hours upon hours of work. As someone said, the pay is a slap in the face! I have no children, no mortgage, no car payment and I wear pants with holes in them. I am not exaggerating. I literally “float” checks every month to pay bills, and I NEVER buy anything for myself. I took my salary and divided it by the amount of hours I worked this past year, I made a little less than $6.00 an hour.
There are joys but they do not outweigh the cons. I remember having this very optimistic view of how I was going to change education, how I WASN’T going to be like my teachers growing up, and I have stood true to that… but I didn’t sign up for a lifeless existence where I never leave the confines of my house because I spend my entire weekend differentiating lessons or preparing for Bobby’s student support meeting.
If you want a family, a life, and you can’t just settle at doing a mediocre job, then run away. I am sorry if it sounds harsh, but I would rather be honest then watch you follow my mistakes. Ask me two years ago, I was sure I was “born to be a teacher”, now I realize I was in love the idea of teaching, not what teaching is in today’s age. The sad thing is that no one knows until your in the classroom, and then it’s too late!
“And while you at it being personally offended by this message, you should check out the unemployment rate for the nation, and then count your blessings that you have a nice cushy job, loaded with free benefits, tenure, only requires you to work 9 months a year, and you have a job to come back too. You people really are pathetic, why don’t you just shut your mouths and concentrate on raising the education level in America so that all the jobs are not gone for your own children!”
Amazing, and I am sure you’ve never stepped over a foot into a classroom. I don’t want to hear crap how you’ve worked in “education,” teaching and working in a field with your “IT” experience has major differences.
Give me a break, “cushy”? You should be smacked in the mouth for blatant disrespect. I get less than 6 hours a sleep a night and I just lost my job this year due to layoffs, so you can throw that garbage right out the window.
I am sure with your IT salary, you really understand what it is like not to be able to buy a new pair of shoes. Money management has nothing to do with it! Try working in OK where the AVERAGE salary is 33,000. That’s not starting salary…
It’s people and parents like you who make teachers want to leave. Educate yourself before you come bashing a profession you know so little about. Need more information? I’d be happy to pass along my 10 page article on why teachers leave…
Well Char..that’s rude, really really rude. If you really wanted to vent, please excuse me….do you think I haven’t gone through a layoff? Come on Char, you don’t know me. Please think twice before you call somebody “cushy”…or some absurd made up word. Sleeping for 6 hours? I have to travel 4 hours daily to keep my job…now who is it that needs a break?
Char, you make a point about my IT salary. Do you think, I am able to draw that kind of salary by just partying hard and going on spring breaks. No, I put my parents’ hard earned money and my time and energy to make it through college, so that I can have a better life for me and my family. What did you think, I am asking for help on the forum just for fun?
Sheena, I really appreciate your input. I have heard from others how difficult it is, specially when the parents and kids don’t cooperate in the process of ‘raising the education level in America’ (Char’s words).
There sure are a lot of angry people out there! I have been teaching middle school in Texas for six years. Some weeks I hate it; some weeks I love it. For all of those who have made generalizations about teachers, you have to remember that there are incompetent people in all professions. I’ve had horrible teachers and excellent teachers. The biggest problems on my campus are unnecessary meetings and paperwork, ineffective leadership, and neglectful parents. Teachers end up being counselors, jailers, and parents. I don’t feel that I get paid what I’m worth, but I’m making more than I did as a secretary in an office (where I was doing the work of two people and got a thirty cent raise over a period of six and a half years). I could make more money at another job, but I choose to teach because I enjoy it and I like the kids. If I ever get to the point that I don’t, I’ll change careers. I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.
Thanks for your input TexasTeacher. Love your attitude !
“I could make more money at another job, but I choose to teach because I enjoy it and I like the kids. If I ever get to the point that I don’t, I’ll change careers. I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.”
WHO IS THAT INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGED PERSON BEATING UP ON TEACHERS. SHE IS ONE OF THOSE UNEDUCATED PERSON THAT WILL NEVER TEACH HER CHILDREN TO RESPECT TEACHERS. I THINK ALL TEACHERS SHOULD BE EARNING FOOTBALL PLAYERS SALARY. THEY WORK JUST AS HARD AS THOSE FELLOWS.SHOW ME AN EDUCATED PERSON, BE IT PRESIDENT OR PAUPER AND SEE IF THE CAN BE ANY DENYING THAT THERE IS A TEACHER AND A PARENT THAT LOVES AND VALUED EDUCATION ENOUGH TO WORKED INCONJUNCTION WITH THEIR CHILD’S TEACHER. MOST OF THE PARENTS JUST LET THEIR KIDS GROW LIKE WILD OATS AND EXPECTED THE TEACHER TO PROVIDE HIGH LEVEL EDUCATION WHEN THE ALL PARENTS ARE THEIR CHILD’S FIRST TEACHER. WHO DO THE THINK THESE TEACHERS ARE JESUS. THANK YOU ALL TEACHERS I KNOW I COULD NOT SPEND ONE DAY IN YOUR SHOES.
Hey, what’s everyone talking about? I posted a comment, and no one responded! It would be nice if someone could give me some advice! “Thanks”
ellie
I came to this forum to research teacher salaries from state to state. I really didn’t find the data I was looking for.
Instead, I found that the problems teachers are experiencing in Florida, are similar all over the country.
I am disappointed in the comments from ill informed individuals who believe that teachers “have it cushy.” It is these sorts of attitudes that have made it difficult for teaching professionals to be able to get the tools and supplies necessary in order to be able to fulfill the requirements imposed upon them by their states and local school boards.
I am reminded of a bumper sticker I saw some years ago…”Wouldn’t it be great if schools got all the funding needed and the military needed to hold a bake sale in order to buy bullets”
Teachers help mold the future. A teaching job does not end when the school bell rings and the kids leave the classroom.
“Cushy” is hardly how I would describe a teacher’s life. I just finished my second year of teaching in a not-so-cushy school. Fighting, swearing, and disrespect from teenagers is not my ideal surroundings, but I continue to teach there because I love the feeling of possibly making a positive difference in the lives of children, many of whom do not have a stable family life or the best of economic situations. As a single person, my salary of about $38000 (including 2 supplements – one for commuting to a school not many want to go to and one for being sponsor which requires many additional hrs added onto the “7.5″ we supposedly work) should be enough. However, living costs are high here and so are utilities. I’ve had my water turned off, and almost lost my electricity today because I simply couldn’t afford to make the payments. I do spend money on so-called pleasures, unless food and gas are listed under that category. I try to manage my money in a very frugal way, but every little thing adds up so quickly ($1000 rent, $200 Electric, $60 a week in gas, the list goes on). So, I pose a question to all: Does that sound cushy? I’m not trying to complain, I’m really not. I am very greatful to still have a job. I thank God for that. However, we teachers bust our butts every day, from dealing with administration to grading and creating “fun” lessons to keep the kids engaged, to mandatory summer training (yes we do have to work in the summer) to classes I am currently taking (in the summer) to increase my teaching ability and become more highly qualified. I love what I do, that’s why I’m doing it. So, please don’t belittle a profession that many hard-working ppl do every day. RESPECT teachers and maybe, just maybe, the complaining and griping you see on here might decrease. To all the teachers and prospective teachers out there: Keep your head up and keep doing the awesome job that you are already doing! We ARE making difference in the lives of children, even though some ppl may not see it (but I don’t see those ppl in the classroom either!) Don’t give up and remember, we are molding the future!
P.S. I am not an English teacher, so please do not inform me of any grammar/spelling mistakes I may have made. Thank you! Take care!
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