How Much Do Teachers Make?

There is a constant debate on whether teachers are over or under paid. While commenting on anyone’s salary is usually taboo, it appears that taxpayers feel quite at ease complaining about the teachers’ salary. On the one hand, their compensation over a twelve month period is usually lower than many professions in a particular area. However, if you factor in that they work nine or ten months per year, their compensation rate increases. So, how much money to teachers make?

If you take the question literally, teachers’ salaries are usually part of the public record and can be investigated on a State’s website. You can do a more advanced search to find out what a starting high school teacher would make or how much a high school English teacher would make. However, having a number would not give a full picture of what a teacher actually earns, as there are intangibles and benefits that may factor into the total compensation amount. Vacation time, insurance benefits, tuition remission, and retirement contributions all can factor into an amount.

While it is tempting to say, “Well, teachers only work nine months a year. They get all that vacation.” that is not giving a true picture of a teacher’s life. Yes, there are some big vacation times, but a teacher is not usually allowed to take their vacation whenever they want to. The school calendar dictates their schedule. Therefore family events such as a wedding may have to be missed or taken without pay if they happen to occur during the school year.

Teachers’ salaries vary widely according to which state you reside in. North Dakota ranks the lowest with a starting teacher earning $24,872. Connecticut’s starting salary is $39,259. But these are starting salaries. The average in North Dakota is $37,764 and in Connecticut is $59,304. California has a starting salary of $35,760, but the average salary is $59,825. One must be sure to compare like amounts when looking at various teacher salaries.

To compare teachers’ salaries with other professions you must determine whether it is fair to compare a nine month job with a year-round job. Many teachers take on a second summer job to supplement their income. If you add those earnings into the salary it is much more competitive. Some may argue that if they are required to work all year, so must a teacher.

To accurately gauge a salary you must also take into account the cost of living in a particular area. Comparing dollar to dollar is not an accurate view of a salary’s true worth. No matter which side of the debate on teachers’ salaries you fall on, teachers have a vital function in our society and spend countless hours preparing for their jobs. They are often saddled with children who come from dysfunctional families or have parents who do not discipline them. The teachers are required to provide love to children without touching them. They are required to teach basic sex education and manners, subjects that used to be taught at home. Their pay should reflect the importance they play in today’s society.

To find out more information about how much do teachers make you can head over to http://howmuchdoteachersmake.com/. They have a full site dedicated to teacher salaries including graphics, charts, and statistics.

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