When you’re thinking about a career as a teacher, payScale.com can help you understand what the average salaries are for different teaching positions in the United States. Using data from over 750,000 salaries collected by PayScale, we’ve put together this list of the top 10 most popular teaching jobs in America.
How much money do teachers make?
Teachers make a median salary of $60,000 per year. The highest-paid teachers make an annual salary of over $100,000, while the lowest-paid teachers earn a median salary of just over $40,000.
Median teacher salary by state
Teachers in the U.S. make a median salary of $50,550, according to data from the National Education Association. That figure varies significantly by state, however: In New York, for example, the median teacher salary is $79,848. In Wyoming, meanwhile, the median teacher salary is just $27,715.
Teacher salary by profession
Teacher salaries vary drastically by profession, with some teachers making significantly less than others. However, all teachers generally earn a salary above the national median wage of $55,775.
According to data from the National Education Association, the average salary for a teacher in 2018 was $59,950. The highest-paid teacher in the country made an average of $111,160 per year, while the lowest-paid teacher made an average of $40,160.
Salaries also vary significantly by state. In Alaska, for example, the average teacher salary is $75,470, while in West Virginia it is only $37,140.
Whatever your income level or profession, it’s important to do your research and find out what the average salary for a teacher in your area is so you can plan financially accordingly.
How long does it take to become a teacher?
Becoming a teacher can take many years of hard work and schooling. To become a teacher in the United States, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 120 credit hours. After that, you will need to pass the Praxis II exams, which are offered by the Educational Testing Service. You will also need to complete either a master’s degree or a doctorate in education from an accredited institution.
Becoming a teacher in other countries may require different qualifications, but the process is usually similar.
The best states to be a teacher
Salaries for teachers vary greatly by state, with some offering far more than others. For example, the average teacher salary in Massachusetts is $70,000 while the average salary in Alabama is only $45,000. To find out the best states to be a teacher, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on nine key metrics. These metrics included average teacher salary, teacher-to-student ratio, number of teachers per 100 students, percentage of teachers who are licensed and certified, percentage of teachers with a doctoral degree, and percentage of students who are proficient in math and reading.
The results revealed that New Jersey was the best state to be a teacher based on six of the nine key metrics. New Jersey was ranked first in the number of teachers per 100 students (34), percentage of teachers who are licensed and certified (94%), percentage of teachers with a doctoral degree (37%), and proficiency in math and reading (79%). In addition, New Jersey was also ranked fourth in the average teacher salary ($86,500) and fifth in the teacher-to-student ratio (19:1). Surprisingly, however, New Jersey was not ranked first in any of the other metrics.
Factors That Influence Teacher’s Salary
Salary for a teacher is largely based on experience, education, and certification. A teacher with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts may make more than one with a teaching certificate from an online school. A teacher with 10 years of experience in the same district may earn more than one with 5 years of experience in another district.
In addition to experience, education, and certification, factors that influence teacher salaries include the location (urban or rural), type of school (public or private), number of students per teacher, and race/ethnicity.
Location
Teacher salaries are higher in urban areas than in rural areas. This is due, in part, to the cost of living in urban areas and the number of available jobs. Teacher salaries also vary significantly by type of school. Public school teachers generally earn more than private school teachers, although this varies by location and by school type.
Type of School
Teacher salaries are highest in public schools than in private schools. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that public schools are funded by taxpayers while private schools are not usually funded by taxpayers. In addition, public schools typically have more students per teacher than private schools.
Number of Students Per Teacher
The number of students per teacher is one factor that influences teacher salaries. As the number of students per teacher increases, so does the salary of a teacher. This is because there are more opportunities for a teacher to make an impact on a large group of students.
Race/Ethnicity
Teacher salaries vary significantly by race/ethnicity. White teachers generally earn more than black or Hispanic teachers do, although this varies depending on location and type of school. Asian American and Native American teachers often make less than white teachers do, although this varies by location and type of school.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our article on how much a teacher’s salary is. In the United States, a teacher’s salary can vary quite a bit depending on their experience and where they teach. However, on average, a starting teacher in the United States will earn around $40,000 per year. Keep in mind that this number may change based on location, years of experience, and other factors. Additionally, teachers often receive benefits such as healthcare coverage and retirement savings plans. So if you are thinking about becoming a teacher one day, be sure to research what the average salary is in your area before making any decisions.
