Salaries in Teaching Careers

Teachers play a crucial role in our society by educating our young and helping to shape a new generation for entry into the workforce. While average teaching salaries may not compare to the income of a CEO or a corporate lawyer, teachers are beginning to be more valued in our culture, and an increase in average teaching salaries are reflecting that change.

Average Teaching Salaries

The salaries in teaching can vary widely by state, institution and the teacher's level of experience. The following figures reflect average teaching salaries according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They are listed here in order of lowest to highest salary:
  • Teacher's Assistants, also referred to as Teacher's Aides, earn an average teaching salary of $20,740. This figure often does not include benefits and may reflect only part-time hours.

  • Preschool Teachers earn an average teaching salary of $22,680.

  • Beginning Teachers with at least a bachelor's degree earned an average of $31,753.

  • Private School Teachers in kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary schools earn between $43,580 and $48,690. As this figure reflects the average salary, the lowest earned incomes range from $28,590 to $33,070. And the highest earned incomes range between $67,490 and $76,100.

  • Public School Teachers in elementary and secondary schools earn an average of $47,602.

  • School Psychologists at elementary and secondary school levels receive an average annual salary of $61,290.

Average Salaries and the Teaching Career Ladder

From the above list, it's clear that there is a defined career ladder for teaching, with each additional step bringing an increase in teaching salary. Finding your place on the ladder, according to your area of interest and the environment in which you wish to work, will help you to estimate your average income.
 
Starting at the bottom, the teaching assistant salary is the loweston our scale with little to no benefits and often only part-time hours. However, these positions can be important steppingstones for young people still deciding on a career. Teacher assistant jobs often require nothing more than a high school diploma and offer valuable on-site experience.
 
At the high end of the pay scale are school psychologists,who often draw in the best teaching salaries. Many of these positions require advanced degrees, such as a master's degree or a doctorate in education (an EdD).
 
For teachers who find themselves around the middle rung of the career ladder, there are several ways to increase your average salary.

Factors that Contribute to Higher Salaries in Teaching

Here are some factors that affect teaching salaries:
  • advanced degrees: A Master's Degree, PhD, or Doctorate in Education (EdD) will supply you with valuable skills that can translate to more dollars in the marketplace.

  • extracurricular activities: Teachers who supervise or coach after school sports and programs may earn bonuses to boost their teaching salary.

  • public schools: There may be more prestige with a private institution, but there is often a higher teaching salary to be found in public schools.

  • summer school: Teaching during the summer months can add more money to your annual income.

Wherever you may find yourself on the teaching career ladder, there are many opportunities to climb up and earn a higher teaching salary and find a job that's perfectly suited to your skills.

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