Quick Facts:
Why Earn a Teaching Degree
Education and Infancy
Tutoring and Responsibility
Experience
As with most professional industries, experience directly affects your salary as a teacher. Unlike some professions, becoming a successful teacher is not something you can teach yourself at home as a child or teenager and gain recognition for your self-taught skill set. You must be properly trained and spend hundreds of hours of supervised experience to even be considered to qualify for teaching licensure. This is the bare minimum of required experience by most states and it will only provide you with an entry-level salary. Many college and university students will also take jobs as private childcare providers, tutors, or at daycare centers for even more experience and for financial compensation as they complete their bachelor’s degree.
To improve your salary through experience, you can take a few different paths. One way to improve your salary through experience is to stay with the same job and take your standard annual percentage increase. Other school districts have a standard pay scale that increases more drastically every five years or so. It is also possible that you can increase your salary significantly by changing jobs and employers after you gain valuable experience. You should also spend your free time working in an area of specialization that is highly in demand, writing publications for professional periodicals or in academic research, and volunteering in education-related areas. These are all ways to increase your experience level that will directly improve your salary base and make you more valuable to your school district.
Metropolitan vs. Rural
It is also important to consider that your geographic location will affect your pay. The bulk of a teacher’s salary is paid for by state and local governments. As a result, if you work in a state, town or school district that is not economically prosperous, you will not earn as much as someone who works in a thriving school district with expensive houses. Generally speaking, people who work in larger cities will make more than someone who works in a rural community simply due to the volume of people paying taxes that go directly into the school district. These larger school districts often have many more teachers’ salaries to pay for and higher cost-of-living expenses.
This is not always the case. Some small towns and small cities have significantly higher-than-average median household incomes and property taxes that allows for teachers to be paid more than in other parts of the state or country. In some cases, school districts have such low property taxes and few enough businesses to tax that schools rely heavily on federal funding, which is never enough. However, generally speaking, teachers who work in rural areas make less money than those who work in large cities. The salary for teachers can also be directly related to the standard of living in the area. Keep in mind that while you may make less in a smaller town, your everyday expenses will also be drastically less expensive in most cases and the quality of life in smaller communities is often considered significantly higher than in cities. These aspects often make overall salaries more comparable in the big picture.
Average Teacher Salary by State
While schools are typically funded at the local level by property taxes, at the state level they are funded by sales taxes and income taxes from both corporations and the personal wealth of all state residents. The federal government contributes very little to school budgets, less than eight percent; therefore, the salary of teachers is based on the economic strength of the state and local economies. States with large populations will often have higher salaries than states with smaller populations. This is also directly related to the standard of living expenses, just like at the local level.
The size of a population does not always have a direct effect on teacher salaries and school funding. The stronger the state’s economy, the higher the per capita personal income and the more corporate taxes a state is able to accumulate, the better the potential for higher teacher salaries. It also is impacted by the level of importance the state and local economy place on the school over other potential state expenditures. Some states place greater importance on education. As a result, they will allocate more state funds to education than states that do not view education as valuable. This allows for all school districts to benefit rather than just those with high property taxes.
Public vs. Private
Most people might be surprised to learn that private school teachers often make less than public school teachers by up to $15,000 a year. The reason is that teacher salaries at private schools are generated directly from tuition. While large private schools in highly affluent communities might pay their teachers more than public schools, the average private school does not charge enough to pay their teachers higher than industry averages. Therefore, teachers do not make as much at private schools in many instances. Public school teachers also often receive better healthcare, pension plans, and more time off than private school teachers. If a public-school teacher is in a union, they are likely to earn even more money than non-union teachers.
The lower pay of a private school teacher is more than compensated in many ways in the eyes of nearly all private school teachers. At private schools, classes are well funded for materials, field trips, meal plans, etc. Technology is often top of the line and class subjects are progressive and more advanced than at a public school. You will experience fewer behavioral issues and, if they do exist, private school teachers can more easily remove trouble makers and expel them if necessary, without much resistance. Students are all relatively equal on their level of academic capabilities with fewer exceptions than public schools. For those who do fall behind, teachers can work as private tutors in their free time to earn more money. Classroom sizes are smaller in private schools and parental involvement is exceptionally high compared to public schools. All of these factors tend to make the teaching experience far more enjoyable for private school teachers over the many challenges that face many public-school teachers.
| Occupation | Employment | 10th Percentile | Annual median wage | 75th percentile | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, Training, and Library Occupations | $1,03,640 | $18,270 | $47,940 | $59,190 | $72,230 |
Specialty Teaching Salaries
Much like teachers in elementary and secondary schools, college professors can earn more money if they specialize in professional careers and core major courses rather than general education teachings. All students are required to take certain prerequisite courses. They are not specialized courses that require higher learning or real-life experience within a profession to be able to teach. Professors who teach such prerequisite courses, such as math and history, typically do not have to learn any new skills, methodologies or information to teach these courses year after year.
Professors who teach core classes for professions, such as engineering, business, or law, must constantly be learning and developing new best practices for these professional industries. As such, they are often paid higher salaries. For example, an English professor makes an average of $88,629 and a law professor makes an average of $164,977. The skills required in professional careers are far more complicated and legally liable than non-professional industries. Therefore, professors for specialized professions earn more money.
College Professors in Community Colleges vs. 4-year Institutions
All college professors are not equally trained and educated in the same manner. To become an instructor at a community college, you only require a bachelor’s or master’s degree. In some cases, you might not require a master’s degree if you are proven to be a qualified professional in the field of study you wish to teach. The level of experience and education you require to become a community college instructor will be unique to each higher learning institution.
A college professor at a four-year college or university requires a master’s or doctorate degree. Many professors who teach professional courses, such as law or engineering, will also require real-world experience. Due to the fact that these professors teach at a significantly higher level and require significantly more education and professional experience than community college instructors, they typically make roughly double or more than community college instructors.
Teaching vs. Administration
Administration positions exist at all school levels. These positions will vary in responsibility and decision-making power; however, they are all managerial positions to some extent. Job titles will vary, such as curriculum and instruction director, school principal, school counselor, or superintendent. The average salary for a high school principal is $90,476, according to PayScale; whereas, a high school teacher has a mean salary of $60,320, as previously stated.
Administration positions pay significantly more than teaching positions, as they have a significant amount of additional responsibility. They have to manage all students, teachers, budgets, curriculum, hiring, firing, and more. Most administrators must have experience working as a teacher. Many individuals who hold these positions start as a teacher and complete higher degrees while they gain work experience as part of their continued education requirements. A common career advancement path in administration takes you from teacher to vice principal or principal and ends at superintendent. Some teachers will also continue their education to become a school counselor while they teach, as these positions also require a master’s or doctorate degree. As a side note, school counselor jobs are growing at a much higher rate than jobs for teachers.
Future Outlook
Early Childhood Educators
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers are estimated to grow at a rate of 7%, which is the US average for all industries, by 2026. Preschool teachers, on the other hand, can expect a slightly healthier growth rate at 10%. The increase in growth of preschool teachers can be somewhat associated with the increase of states and parents understanding the importance of childhood education at a younger age.
Average Preschool Teacher Salary: $29,780
- Education Requirements: Such education requirements vary; however, some require a minimum of an associate degree while most require a bachelor’s degree.
- Experience Requirements: Some states require work experience in the form of a teacher aide, teacher assistant, or a childcare worker.
- Average Kindergarten and Elementary Teacher Salary: $58,230
- Education Requirements: You will require a bachelor’s degree.
- Experience Requirements: All teachers at this level must complete hundreds of hours of classroom experience during their teacher preparation program and on their own time.
Middle School Educators
The job outlook for middle school teachers is 8% growth by 2026, which is just above average for all industries. These growth projections are based on school district budgets. If the economy remains at least as strong as its current level, middle school teacher jobs will continue to increase. However, if the economy begins to decline, middle school teachers are often some of the first teachers to be laid off until funds have been restored for teacher salaries.
Average Salary: $58,600
- Education Requirements: Most states require a bachelor’s degree. Some will require a bachelor’s degree in elementary education; whereas, other states request that teachers major in their preferred area of focus, such as science, math or English.
- Experience Requirements: All teachers at this level must complete hundreds of hours of classroom experience during their teacher preparation program and on their own time.
High School Educators
The job outlook for high school teachers is roughly 8% growth by 2026, which is slightly above the national average for all jobs. While employment is expected to remain consistent, it is important to note that a shift in the types of teachers employed may shift in demand. Currently, the most in-demand teaching positions at the high school level include science, technology, engineering, mathematics, special needs, gifted, and English as a second language. These demands are due to both shortages in qualified teachers in these areas and a shift of curriculum to focus more on specific subjects, such as STEM courses.
It is important to note that private schools continue to grow in popularity with each public-school shooting. As such, you can expect to see more growth in the private sector than has been seen in the past until these tragic events cease. The same is true of homeschooling. Parents are hiring private teachers to educate their children at home in larger numbers than ever before. You can also work as a private tutor for homeschooled children or for those students who require additional assistance outside of traditional classroom hours.
Average Salary: $60,320
- Education Requirements: Most states require a bachelor’s degree alongside a major in their specialized area of focus, such as math, history, English, or science. Some school districts will require high school teachers to pursue a master’s degree as part of their continued education requirements.
- Experience Requirements: All teachers at this level must complete hundreds of hours of classroom experience during their teacher preparation program and on their own time.
College Educators
Higher education continues to be increasingly in demand by individuals of all ages and backgrounds. As such, the job outlook for college professors is significantly higher than the national average at 15% by 2026. The increasing demand for higher degrees, such as a master’s degree or a doctorate degree, is helping drive job growth. The same is true for online degrees that provide students who would normally not have the time or access to complete a degree.
Average Salary: $78,470
- Education Requirements: A master’s or doctoral degree is required for all four-year college and university professors.
- Experience Requirements: Many reputable higher learning institutions require or prefer professors who have real-life work experience within their field of study.
A community college or vocational instructor typically requires a master’s degree. In some schools, they may only require a bachelor’s degree and sufficient, relevant work experience in their area of focus. Keep in mind that they make significantly less money, roughly $20,000 less than a professor at a four-year institution, and they have less stringent academic requirements. They, too, might teach in person or online.
Sources:
Career Options and Salary
National Averages
| Occupation | Annual Mean Wage | Annual 10th Percentile Wage | Annual 25th Percentile Wage | Annual median wage | Annual 75th Percentile Wage | Annual 90th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, Training, and Library Occupations | $56,620 | $22,860 | $32,550 | $49,700 | $70,530 | $97,080 |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $85,190 | $31,880 | $47,630 | $69,530 | $104,000 | $159,150 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,330 | $37,890 | $55,220 | $83,960 | $130,800 | $195,120 |
| Math and Computer Teachers, Postsecondary | $90,650 | $40,630 | $54,850 | $76,570 | $111,280 | $162,070 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,200 | $41,820 | $58,250 | $82,220 | $119,690 | $166,710 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $87,140 | $39,970 | $53,030 | $73,230 | $104,810 | $158,360 |
| Engineering and Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $111,450 | $50,360 | $72,490 | $99,770 | $137,430 | $187,190 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,320 | $42,540 | $62,440 | $86,980 | $125,020 | $174,300 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,680 | $52,440 | $74,810 | $101,720 | $140,030 | $189,390 |
| Life Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $9,6110 | $44,240 | $59,640 | $83,050 | $118,420 | $164,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $90,890 | $42,240 | $59,390 | $84,640 | $115,460 | $149,720 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $97,340 | $44,550 | $59,510 | $82,550 | $119,400 | $169,290 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $92,550 | $47,820 | $64,830 | $86,900 | $114,890 | $146,550 |
| Physical Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $97,280 | $46,210 | $61,330 | $84,470 | $119,850 | $165,320 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,890 | $47,820 | $65,400 | $90,860 | $126,110 | $170,200 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $92,360 | $44,970 | $58,700 | $79,550 | $111,180 | $158,830 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,330 | $42,930 | $58,240 | $79,910 | $113,460 | $158,230 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,830 | $49,260 | $65,360 | $90,800 | $126,910 | $174,490 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $92,440 | $39,410 | $56,430 | $79,080 | $113,020 | $164,730 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | $94,080 | $45,330 | $61,610 | $83,940 | $118,390 | $159,390 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,450 | $36,380 | $51,780 | $74,440 | $103,140 | $153,790 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $117,180 | $51,070 | $72,430 | $101,480 | $141,690 | $202,460 |
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,950 | $42,480 | $60,070 | $80,350 | $106,810 | $148,550 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,480 | $43,310 | $60,980 | $83,370 | $117,590 | $177,360 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,490 | $39,350 | $55,880 | $76,710 | $107,700 | $155,710 |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,310 | $38,440 | $54,350 | $74,140 | $100,020 | $138,500 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $87,950 | $31,350 | $48,220 | $71,600 | $107,870 | $178,500 |
| Health Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,370 | $42,580 | $59,690 | $89,440 | $143,460 | NA |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $122,320 | $43,370 | $61,280 | $97,370 | $160,580 | NA |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,350 | $40,370 | $55,620 | $73,490 | $97,390 | $129,070 |
| Education and Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $73,800 | $33,240 | $48,150 | $65,390 | $89,420 | $123,560 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $73,680 | $32,680 | $47,350 | $64,780 | $893,00 | $124,580 |
| Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,450 | $45,010 | $56,550 | $71,560 | $90,550 | $111,230 |
| Law, Criminal Justice, and Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,110 | $35,620 | $50,770 | $73,970 | $121,000 | $188,530 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,390 | $35,910 | $46,910 | $61,900 | $87,620 | $124,180 |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,710 | $360,00 | $59,250 | $111,140 | $179,140 | NA |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,520 | $34,940 | $51,320 | $68,300 | $93,900 | $134,740 |
| Arts, Communications, and Humanities Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,670 | $37,220 | $50,950 | $69,390 | $97,230 | $139,080 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,560 | $36,360 | $51,550 | $69,960 | $98,690 | $146,290 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,090 | $35,870 | $49,570 | $68,910 | $95,250 | $133,570 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,150 | $37,180 | $48,860 | $66,590 | $94,790 | $135,020 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,160 | $38,910 | $50,890 | $67,640 | $96,850 | $137,860 |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,990 | $40,600 | $55,410 | $74,590 | $99,860 | $134,170 |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,420 | $38,860 | $53,410 | $71,890 | $98,160 | $135,170 |
| Miscellaneous Postsecondary Teachers | $60,200 | $20,590 | $34,650 | $51,150 | $74,730 | $109,070 |
| Graduate Teaching Assistants | $36,390 | $18,320 | $21,640 | $33,700 | $46,670 | $59,290 |
| Home Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,170 | $38,770 | $52,930 | $71,380 | $96,460 | $123,010 |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,190 | $32,620 | $44,890 | $62,620 | $89,610 | $127,970 |
| Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $58,520 | $32,520 | $40,880 | $53,120 | $70,340 | $94,100 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $76,990 | $27,490 | $46,150 | $65,660 | $97,640 | $136,490 |
| Preschool, Primary, Secondary, and Special Education School Teachers | $59,980 | $33,050 | $43,770 | $56,790 | $73,830 | $93,860 |
| Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers | $40,070 | $21,440 | $25,510 | $33,970 | $49,820 | $67,800 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,410 | $20,610 | $24,040 | $29,780 | $39,060 | $55,350 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $58,370 | $35,680 | $44,310 | $55,470 | $69,420 | $86,310 |
| Elementary and Middle School Teachers | $62,150 | $38,170 | $46,340 | $58,350 | $75,090 | $94,660 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,200 | $37,780 | $46,120 | $58,230 | $75,330 | $95,270 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,030 | $39,090 | $46,840 | $58,600 | $74,600 | $93,180 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | $62,570 | $39,890 | $47,770 | $59,230 | $74,770 | $92,550 |
| Secondary School Teachers | $64,230 | $39,860 | $48,070 | $60,320 | $77,500 | $97,120 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,340 | $39,740 | $47,980 | $60,320 | $77,720 | $97,500 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $62,810 | $41,250 | $49,220 | $60,250 | $74,930 | $91,190 |
| Special Education Teachers | $63,890 | $39,220 | $47,570 | $59,610 | $76,620 | $97,190 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $61,610 | $34,300 | $44,020 | $55,840 | $72,570 | $100,160 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,110 | $38,980 | $47,520 | $59,390 | $75,940 | $95,730 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $64,390 | $40,690 | $48,820 | $60,250 | $77,080 | $97,290 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $65,320 | $40,560 | $48,630 | $60,600 | $77,820 | $98,290 |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $62,500 | $34,580 | $44,030 | $56,680 | $76,110 | $98,730 |
| Other Teachers and Instructors | $40,250 | $19,660 | $24,260 | $33,050 | $48,440 | $68,820 |
| Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors | $58,110 | $32,370 | $42,200 | $53,630 | $71,010 | $89,710 |
| Self-Enrichment Education Teachers | $44,960 | $20,820 | $26,760 | $38,720 | $56,390 | $77,770 |
| Miscellaneous Teachers and Instructors | $37,840 | $19,350 | $23,530 | $30,850 | $43,950 | $62,760 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other, Except Substitute Teachers | $48,040 | $21,090 | $26,680 | $39,540 | $60,520 | $83,680 |
| Substitute Teachers | $32,360 | $18,850 | $22,510 | $28,680 | $37,340 | $48,540 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $67,490 | $36,360 | $49,280 | $64,450 | $82,860 | $102,200 |
| Teacher Assistants | $28,750 | $18,670 | $21,940 | $26,970 | $34,190 | $41,020 |