The Average Teacher Salary
The average teacher salary differs according to a number of
different factors. One of the more obvious of these is the teaching
grade level. Preschool teachers can expect to receive an average salary
of $25,700, while elementary and middle school teachers earn averages
of $54,330 and $54,880 respectively, and high school teachers currently
average around $55,990 per year.
However, there are a number of other factors which affect the teacher salary you can earn, and these have been outlined in detail for you to view through our resources below.
However, there are a number of other factors which affect the teacher salary you can earn, and these have been outlined in detail for you to view through our resources below.
| Elementary School Teacher Salary - By Experience (Curated Data) | Per Hour | Per Annum | ||
| Low End | High End | Low End | High End | |
| Beginner (0-1 Year) | $11.98 | $21.22 | $24,920 | $44,150 |
| Intermediate (1-5 Years) | $12.95 | $23.31 | $26,950 | $48,500 |
| Advanced (5-10 Years) | $14.75 | $28.04 | $30,700 | $58,320 |
| Senior (10-20 Years) | $16.36 | $33.60 | $34,040 | $69,900 |
| Advanced Senior (20+ Years) | $17.72 | $38.76 | $36,860 | $80,620 |
| Secondary School Teacher Salary - By Experience (Curated Data) | Per Hour | Per Annum | ||
| Low End | High End | Low End | High End | |
| Beginner (0-1 Year) | $13.15 | $22.51 | $27,350 | $46,820 |
| Intermediate (1-5 Years) | $14.11 | $24.75 | $29,360 | $51,490 |
| Advanced (5-10 Years) | $15.84 | $30.13 | $32,950 | $62,680 |
| Senior (10-20 Years) | $17.77 | $36.58 | $36,970 | $76,090 |
| Advanced Senior (20+ Years) | $18.43 | $40.81 | $38,340 | $84,890 |
Overview: The Average Teacher Salary
The primary job of all teachers is to nurture, to instruct, and to care for the educational needs of those under their supervision. The teacher of any student will play a vital part in their development and the learning of various skills. They will be required to implement a curriculum and carry out lesson plans that lead to pre-planned goals for their students.
Preschool, elementary and secondary school teaching have many similarities, but also distinct duties specific to the age group with which they work. Dependent upon the teaching position in question, a teacher might work with those who are of a pre-school age, preteens, teenagers or even adults and senior citizens in an adult learning center or vocational-technical school.
The teacher must be well versed in a wide range of subject matter. As well as the vast array of curricular material, they may be called upon to teach development of motor skills in the case of preschoolers, or to help an older child learn good study habits. In the adult education sector, the instructor or teacher may be required to help them to learn new skills which will enable them to find employment.
A teacher must also be ready to work with students from a very diverse group of people. They will work with a wide array of students who come from very different backgrounds as regards ethnicity, religion, and culture. He or she must be ready to incorporate and allow for those diverse cultures in their lesson plans so as to meet the needs of all students.
Does it all sound like a great deal of work for a teacher salary? The average preschool teacher salary is about $25,700. This figure is gleaned from the latest statistics by the BLS in 2010. The lower ten per cent of those in teaching earned about $17,200 while the upper portion of preschool teachers earned a salary of about $46,830.
In regards to the teacher salaries for elementary through middle school teaching positions, the average rate for those who hold a bachelor's degree is relatively closely aligned. The middle and elementary school teacher salary averages at $54,880 and $54,330 respectively, with the range outliers at $34,990 for the lowest earning 10% to $80,940 for the highest.
The average annual high school or secondary school teacher salary ranges from about $35,020 for the lower ten per cent to about $83,230 for the upper ten percent, with an average high school teacher salary of $55,990. These figures are similar to but not inclusive of the special education teacher salary, which ranged between $36,360 upward to about $82,860.
Clearly, dependent upon the venue in which you teach- preschool, elementary school, high school or specialty education- your teachers salary will differ. These differences are also manifested in the geographic area in which you may work, as well as your experience on the job.
Teacher Salary By Employer Type
As in most employment positions, different venues will offer a different and sometimes more lucrative teacher salary for those who elect to work in this type of facility. Teaching offers those more lucrative positions, as well as some which are lower in pay.
The upper level teacher salary can be found in teaching areas such as private schools, parochial schools and in drug and alcohol treatment program schools. These teacher salaries ranged from $56,000 to about $78,000 annually.
Overall, there are 99,520 teachers employed in elementary and secondary schools. Of these, about 240 positions existed for the special needs teacher. These included positions in Residential Mental Retardation, as well as in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities. It is easy to see why you might expect these positions to pay a more lucrative teacher salary, but while the competition is stringent, many do not pay more than the national average.
One of the lowest paying educational sectors was the Mental Health and Mental Retardation, as well as Substance Abuse Facilities, which paid an average of $46,010 annually. One step further down the teacher salary ladder was the Educational Support Services venue, which paid an average teacher salary of about $40,330.
Surprisingly, given the higher stress factor which may exist working in an environment where substance abuse and some level of counseling may be necessary, the pay level for these jobs was typically lower than that of the secondary school teacher. The secondary school teacher will deal with a higher class number, as well as a more diverse group of students, but is paid slightly more than the teacher in special needs areas such as drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Teacher Salary By Location
As mentioned, geographic area may play a very important role in the teacher salary. Typically, the areas which are the most favorable so far as the teacher's salary will be the areas in which the competition is highest for teaching positions.
The states which pay the highest teacher salary are New York, with approximately 71,490 teaching positions open. These positions pay about $70,400 dollars annually. Secondarily, Alaska, with 2,650 teaching positions open annually offers a mean annual teachers salary of $67,790. The third highest state for payment of teacher salaries is Illinois, offering their elementary and secondary school teachers an annual wage of $67,110.
Teacher Salary By Experience
If you're not sure that teaching is for you, or can offer you a lifestyle that will allow you to support a family, you may be surprised what an experienced teacher can make. The teaching profession, like any other, does pay more for experience in your profession.
In the elementary school venue, the teacher salaries are blatantly commensurate with the candidate's level of experience. For those who have no experience in teaching, the beginning teacher salary will quite often average out to about $11.98 hourly for the lower earners. The high end of the no-experience teacher salary is approximately $21.22 per hour. These rates equate to an annual teaching salary range of $24,920.00 to $44,150.00.
Those who have about five years teaching experience may expect an hourly wage of about $23.31. Their teachers salary should range between $26,950.00 and $48,500.00.
The teaching professional with five to ten years' experience might expect their hourly salary level to range between $14.75 and $28.04 hourly, for an annual salary range of $30,700.00 to $58,320.00.
With ten years of teaching experience your teacher salary will usually range between $16.36 and $33.60 hourly, or annually, between $34,040.00 and $69,900.00.
Very experienced teaching professionals, those with twenty or more years in the profession may find that teaching is quite financially rewarding. Their annual teacher salary will range between $36,860 and $80,620, for an hourly wage of between $17.72 and $38.76.
The primary job of all teachers is to nurture, to instruct, and to care for the educational needs of those under their supervision. The teacher of any student will play a vital part in their development and the learning of various skills. They will be required to implement a curriculum and carry out lesson plans that lead to pre-planned goals for their students.
Preschool, elementary and secondary school teaching have many similarities, but also distinct duties specific to the age group with which they work. Dependent upon the teaching position in question, a teacher might work with those who are of a pre-school age, preteens, teenagers or even adults and senior citizens in an adult learning center or vocational-technical school.
The teacher must be well versed in a wide range of subject matter. As well as the vast array of curricular material, they may be called upon to teach development of motor skills in the case of preschoolers, or to help an older child learn good study habits. In the adult education sector, the instructor or teacher may be required to help them to learn new skills which will enable them to find employment.
A teacher must also be ready to work with students from a very diverse group of people. They will work with a wide array of students who come from very different backgrounds as regards ethnicity, religion, and culture. He or she must be ready to incorporate and allow for those diverse cultures in their lesson plans so as to meet the needs of all students.
Does it all sound like a great deal of work for a teacher salary? The average preschool teacher salary is about $25,700. This figure is gleaned from the latest statistics by the BLS in 2010. The lower ten per cent of those in teaching earned about $17,200 while the upper portion of preschool teachers earned a salary of about $46,830.
In regards to the teacher salaries for elementary through middle school teaching positions, the average rate for those who hold a bachelor's degree is relatively closely aligned. The middle and elementary school teacher salary averages at $54,880 and $54,330 respectively, with the range outliers at $34,990 for the lowest earning 10% to $80,940 for the highest.
The average annual high school or secondary school teacher salary ranges from about $35,020 for the lower ten per cent to about $83,230 for the upper ten percent, with an average high school teacher salary of $55,990. These figures are similar to but not inclusive of the special education teacher salary, which ranged between $36,360 upward to about $82,860.
Clearly, dependent upon the venue in which you teach- preschool, elementary school, high school or specialty education- your teachers salary will differ. These differences are also manifested in the geographic area in which you may work, as well as your experience on the job.
Teacher Salary By Employer Type
As in most employment positions, different venues will offer a different and sometimes more lucrative teacher salary for those who elect to work in this type of facility. Teaching offers those more lucrative positions, as well as some which are lower in pay.
The upper level teacher salary can be found in teaching areas such as private schools, parochial schools and in drug and alcohol treatment program schools. These teacher salaries ranged from $56,000 to about $78,000 annually.
Overall, there are 99,520 teachers employed in elementary and secondary schools. Of these, about 240 positions existed for the special needs teacher. These included positions in Residential Mental Retardation, as well as in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities. It is easy to see why you might expect these positions to pay a more lucrative teacher salary, but while the competition is stringent, many do not pay more than the national average.
One of the lowest paying educational sectors was the Mental Health and Mental Retardation, as well as Substance Abuse Facilities, which paid an average of $46,010 annually. One step further down the teacher salary ladder was the Educational Support Services venue, which paid an average teacher salary of about $40,330.
Surprisingly, given the higher stress factor which may exist working in an environment where substance abuse and some level of counseling may be necessary, the pay level for these jobs was typically lower than that of the secondary school teacher. The secondary school teacher will deal with a higher class number, as well as a more diverse group of students, but is paid slightly more than the teacher in special needs areas such as drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Teacher Salary By Location
As mentioned, geographic area may play a very important role in the teacher salary. Typically, the areas which are the most favorable so far as the teacher's salary will be the areas in which the competition is highest for teaching positions.
The states which pay the highest teacher salary are New York, with approximately 71,490 teaching positions open. These positions pay about $70,400 dollars annually. Secondarily, Alaska, with 2,650 teaching positions open annually offers a mean annual teachers salary of $67,790. The third highest state for payment of teacher salaries is Illinois, offering their elementary and secondary school teachers an annual wage of $67,110.
Teacher Salary By Experience
If you're not sure that teaching is for you, or can offer you a lifestyle that will allow you to support a family, you may be surprised what an experienced teacher can make. The teaching profession, like any other, does pay more for experience in your profession.
In the elementary school venue, the teacher salaries are blatantly commensurate with the candidate's level of experience. For those who have no experience in teaching, the beginning teacher salary will quite often average out to about $11.98 hourly for the lower earners. The high end of the no-experience teacher salary is approximately $21.22 per hour. These rates equate to an annual teaching salary range of $24,920.00 to $44,150.00.
Those who have about five years teaching experience may expect an hourly wage of about $23.31. Their teachers salary should range between $26,950.00 and $48,500.00.
The teaching professional with five to ten years' experience might expect their hourly salary level to range between $14.75 and $28.04 hourly, for an annual salary range of $30,700.00 to $58,320.00.
With ten years of teaching experience your teacher salary will usually range between $16.36 and $33.60 hourly, or annually, between $34,040.00 and $69,900.00.
Very experienced teaching professionals, those with twenty or more years in the profession may find that teaching is quite financially rewarding. Their annual teacher salary will range between $36,860 and $80,620, for an hourly wage of between $17.72 and $38.76.
Teaching
Certification
In every state in the United States a teacher in a public or private school is required to have a teaching certification. There is one exception to this rule- teachers in a home school situation in most states are not required to be certified teachers, but they are required to file a lesson plan and to meet certain criteria.
There are multiple educational levels to which a teacher may aspire. Typically the lowest level of education that a teacher may possess and still teach in the public school system in most states is the Bachelor's degree in teaching. As may be expected, the level of education, i.e. Bachelor's degree, Master's Degree will often compel a rise in teacher salary. The educational level will also impact your employability.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia require public school teachers to be licensed. Licensing is typically also not required in the private schooling arena. The license is granted to the teacher by the State Board of Education for the state in which you live and plan to work.
Typically licensure is classified in this fashion:
Typically the license is specific to a given subject material, such as music, reading, language arts, mathematics, etc.
Every state requires that a teacher have a bachelor's degree and for that prospective teacher to also have completed a state approved training program with a defined subject matter and educational credits, along with having practice in teaching under supervision for a given number of hours. Some states today have moved to a minimum master's degree within a given time span after they begin to practice active teaching.
Nearly all of the states require that each applicant for a teaching license has to be tested in basic competency skills as in reading, writing and in teaching so that they are proven to be proficient. Most states offer reciprocity to teachers from other states so that the teaching shortage may be effectively managed.
Employment Prospects In Teaching
The employment prospects for teaching are very bright. The teaching profession, typically already quite stable in any economy, is projected to grow, with more and more children moving into the school age years, and more adults and high school students moving into college.
Teaching is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to rise about 20 per cent over the course of the next 6 years until 2018, which is well above average. For the most part, population growth will account for only about fifty percent of the teaching positions which are opening up, while the remainder will be the result of current teaching professionals entering the age of retirement.
Teaching Career Paths
In many instances, teaching professionals may advance in responsibility and teacher salary with further education. Some of the most common areas for which they will study are counseling, school librarians, coordinators, and principals, administrator or supervisors. Some teachers will apply for advanced levels and become mentor teachers who are able to assist teachers who are less experienced while still attending to their own job and teaching.
In addition, other areas into which teachers may expand in order to add to their teacher salary and their responsibility include the following:
Summary: The Teaching Salary & Career
Teaching jobs are expected to grow over the course of the next six years, while salaries will continue to rise. The prospects for job security in teaching are projected to be excellent.
The median teacher salary for those teachers in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and secondary school teachers normally range from $47,100 to $51,180. The lowest ten per cent of the teachers received $30,970 to $34,280 while those who were in the upper ten percent of the teacher salary range earned wages that ranged between $75,190 and $80,970.
As of 2008, nearly all teachers in every state belonged to some type of teaching union. The most common unions are the American Federation of Teachers or the National Education Association. These unions bargain for the teachers for teacher salary increases as well as better hours and other employment benefits.
Teachers who wish to do so may raise their earnings in multiple ways, including coaching, extracurricular activities and mentoring other teachers. In addition, teachers who attend additional classes and raise their level of education will normally find that their teacher salary will increase significantly.
In every state in the United States a teacher in a public or private school is required to have a teaching certification. There is one exception to this rule- teachers in a home school situation in most states are not required to be certified teachers, but they are required to file a lesson plan and to meet certain criteria.
There are multiple educational levels to which a teacher may aspire. Typically the lowest level of education that a teacher may possess and still teach in the public school system in most states is the Bachelor's degree in teaching. As may be expected, the level of education, i.e. Bachelor's degree, Master's Degree will often compel a rise in teacher salary. The educational level will also impact your employability.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia require public school teachers to be licensed. Licensing is typically also not required in the private schooling arena. The license is granted to the teacher by the State Board of Education for the state in which you live and plan to work.
Typically licensure is classified in this fashion:
- License to teach the early childhood grades (preschool through grade 3)
- License for the elementary grades (grades 1 through 6 or 7)
- License to teach the middle grades (grades 5 through 7 or 8)
- License to teach secondary-education subject areas (grades
7 through 12)
Typically the license is specific to a given subject material, such as music, reading, language arts, mathematics, etc.
Every state requires that a teacher have a bachelor's degree and for that prospective teacher to also have completed a state approved training program with a defined subject matter and educational credits, along with having practice in teaching under supervision for a given number of hours. Some states today have moved to a minimum master's degree within a given time span after they begin to practice active teaching.
Nearly all of the states require that each applicant for a teaching license has to be tested in basic competency skills as in reading, writing and in teaching so that they are proven to be proficient. Most states offer reciprocity to teachers from other states so that the teaching shortage may be effectively managed.
Employment Prospects In Teaching
The employment prospects for teaching are very bright. The teaching profession, typically already quite stable in any economy, is projected to grow, with more and more children moving into the school age years, and more adults and high school students moving into college.
Teaching is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to rise about 20 per cent over the course of the next 6 years until 2018, which is well above average. For the most part, population growth will account for only about fifty percent of the teaching positions which are opening up, while the remainder will be the result of current teaching professionals entering the age of retirement.
Teaching Career Paths
In many instances, teaching professionals may advance in responsibility and teacher salary with further education. Some of the most common areas for which they will study are counseling, school librarians, coordinators, and principals, administrator or supervisors. Some teachers will apply for advanced levels and become mentor teachers who are able to assist teachers who are less experienced while still attending to their own job and teaching.
In addition, other areas into which teachers may expand in order to add to their teacher salary and their responsibility include the following:
- Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers
- Guidance Counselors
- Education administrators
- Librarians
- School Social work
- Post-Secondary School Teaching
- Vocational Teaching
Summary: The Teaching Salary & Career
Teaching jobs are expected to grow over the course of the next six years, while salaries will continue to rise. The prospects for job security in teaching are projected to be excellent.
The median teacher salary for those teachers in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and secondary school teachers normally range from $47,100 to $51,180. The lowest ten per cent of the teachers received $30,970 to $34,280 while those who were in the upper ten percent of the teacher salary range earned wages that ranged between $75,190 and $80,970.
As of 2008, nearly all teachers in every state belonged to some type of teaching union. The most common unions are the American Federation of Teachers or the National Education Association. These unions bargain for the teachers for teacher salary increases as well as better hours and other employment benefits.
Teachers who wish to do so may raise their earnings in multiple ways, including coaching, extracurricular activities and mentoring other teachers. In addition, teachers who attend additional classes and raise their level of education will normally find that their teacher salary will increase significantly.
Still
Haven't Found What You Were
Looking For?
Try our Google-powered site search for other detailed salary guides we offer:
Try our Google-powered site search for other detailed salary guides we offer: