Teacher Salaries

Teaching has often been maligned as being a low-paid career. But this isn't entirely true. Teacher salaries are higher than they have ever been, and, because of a renewed national interest in education, more federal funds are reaching teacher paychecks than in the past.

Remember, teaching is not, in most cases, a year-round job. Teachers get most of June, July, and August off, just like their students. Teachers also get breaks in the winter and in the spring. And, even most starting teacher salaries are higher than many non-professional paychecks.

Salaries for teachers can vary by location, type of school, subject taught, years of teaching experience and the level of education of the teacher. And, many school districts are unionized. Union teachers generally make more than non-union teachers. Many teachers receive automatic pay raises each year because of agreements forged between the teacher's union and the school district. Teachers can also earn more money by getting a higher education.

Teachers often receive bonuses and incentives based on what their school district needs. Some urban districts are offering higher pay to teachers who accept jobs in high-need areas within the district. Some districts offer incentive pay for teachers who motivate children to perform better on state assessment tests.

Teachers can also often supplement their income by taking on more responsibilities in their school. Teachers can get paid extra or receive stipends to manage extracurricular activities, teach larger class sizes, and lead certain school committees. Teachers can also receive extra pay for teaching a few weeks of summer school.

And, most teachers get great benefits! Teachers are often eligible for medical, dental, and optical benefits as well as a great retirement plan. Teachers can also get government benefits such as down payment assistance for certain types of housing.

All in all, teaching is a generally well-paid and satisfying career. Check out the average salaries below to see how much you can make as a teacher!