Average teachers pay vs average pay.

[SweetSue92]

On a national average college grads make about the same as average teachers do. So, claiming to earn less than similar degreed people is a false claim.

Average college grad salary in 2025 is $68,500

Average teacher starting pay is $44,530

You're wrong again. Does it hurt being so wrong so often?

 

[toobfreak]

Are you saying those with Bachelor's Degree at LEAST should not earn more than those with a high school diploma?

In theory, you would certainly think and hope so, especially if you are the one who spent all the time and money on the degree. But the reality is that hiring by degree has somewhat failed--- for a long time, employers tried hiring requiring a given degree as a qualifier thinking it assured them a certain employee, but it largely didn't work out that way, so they have broadened their scope to a degree being an asset, but not the final determiner.

People have found that there are a lot of people out there who have degrees who fall far short of expectations while others with lesser degrees, or maybe no degree at all but just a lot of talent or experience have greater potential than their CV might otherwise indicate.

In the final analysis, degrees should be welcome and considered, but employers really need to look at the actual history of what the candidate actually does or produces, and brings to the position beyond just what is on paper.

 

[SweetSue92]

In theory, you would certainly think and hope so, especially if you are the one who spent all the time and money on the degree. But the reality is that hiring by degree has somewhat failed--- for a long time, employers tried hiring requiring a given degree as a qualifier thinking it assured them a certain employee, but it largely didn't work out that way, so they have broadened their scope to a degree being an asset, but not the final determiner.

People have found that there are a lot of people out there who have degrees who fall far short of expectations while others with lesser degrees, or maybe no degree at all but just a lot of talent or experience have greater potential than their CV might otherwise indicate.

In the final analysis, degrees should be welcome and considered, but employers really need to look at the actual history of what the candidate actually does or produces, and brings to the position beyond just what is on paper.

100% agree with this for the most part, but the OP seems to be making the case that teachers--whose job it is to education and graduate students--should earn the same as those students just on their way out. Degree or no degree, that's nuts. It's like saying CFOs or Directors shouldn't make more than the teenaged kid with their first job.

 

[WorldWatcher]

On a national average college grads make about the same as average teachers do. So, claiming to earn less than similar degreed people is a false claim.

You said:

• Teachers: $66,000
• Their graduates: $61,000

But this mixes students who go on to flip burgers for minimum wage and those that go on to be doctors and lawyers.

If we look at income by education level:

I work as an HRIS in Virginia, for Bachelor's/Masters (which is the vast majority of teachers) the numbers in the image above are high for our school system. But is understandable for two reasons:

1. Our Teachers are paid on a 200 Day/10 Month contract and the rate reflects that. We have a few teahers (very few) paid on an 220 day/11 Month contract and their pay at the same Grade/Step is higher becuase of the additional days.
2. Cost of living around the country varies greatly. The cost to live in an area is a huge driver as compared to compensation on not just teacher salaries but salaries in general.

WW

How Do You Compare? Average Salaries by Age and Occupation - NerdWallet

The average salary in the U.S. for a bachelor's degree holder was $69,264, in 2023. Salaries will vary by your degree, major, location and other demographics.

www.nerdwallet.com

 

[toobfreak]

100% agree with this for the most part, but the OP seems to be making the case that teachers--whose job it is to education and graduate students--should earn the same as those students just on their way out. Degree or no degree, that's nuts.

Yes it is. You would hope that as a vetted person doing a given job for a long time that you'd be making more money (hopefully a lot more) than one of your students who walks out the door and get a job starting out in the same field next week!

My point was that when I got my degree in electronics, I was head of the class, the only one to get a perfect 4.0, but I thought to myself looking around at that time that there were others graduating with me with the exact same degree, but I knew they had no grasp of the material and I personally wouldn't hire them to sweep my floors.

But I'm sure their degree at least opened some doors to get them hired, but eventually, you have to produce.

That is, unless it is a government job.

 

[SweetSue92]

Yes it is. You would hope that as a vetted person doing a given job for a long time that you'd be making more money (hopefully a lot more) than one of your students who walks out the door and get a job starting out in the same field next week!

My point was that when I got my degree in electronics, I was head of the class, the only one to get a perfect 4.0, but I thought to myself looking around at that time that there were others graduating with me with the exact same degree, but I knew they had no grasp of the material and I personally wouldn't hire them to sweep my floors.

But I'm sure their degree at least opened some doors to get them hired, but eventually, you have to produce.

That is, unless it is a government job.

100%. If you get a job at the Dept of Ed, you produce nothing. But if you're an actual teacher, you work like a dog.

 

[rightwinger]

Whatever anyone says, the market disagrees with you. Teachers are not only leaving in droves, but young people are not going into it.

Hence many states have had to increase teacher pay and it's still not working.

Showing pay is not the issue
Teachers do not work a full year and do not deserve the same pay as those who do

 

[SweetSue92]

Showing pay is not the issue
Teachers do not work a full year and do not deserve the same pay as those who do

That depends. If you've been with a company for some time, you get generous vacation/PTO time. We do not get ANY PTO time. We can't just leave for an hour and come back.

 

[WorldWatcher]

Teachers get very good benifits in low cost good insurance.

Good benefits yes? Low cost good insurance?

On average employers pay between 70-80% of health insurance premiums and the employee pays the remaining 20-30%.

That's about the same for the school system for which I work.

Good pension plans second only to Fed workers.

That's not that hard a metric to achive since most employers don't offer pensions anymore.

They also get more time off a year than almost any other profession.

Agreed, however it's not "paid time off". Our contract is for 200 days - with no earned vaction days. Typically in the private sector the number of days per year is 260 days with accrued vaction days.

I have 2 sisters who have retired and gave great pensions and medical because of it. Its more than average pay. You must ad in benifits.

Benefits are a factor, agreed. Howver where I work there are no medical benefits once you reach 65 and become Medicare eligible.

If you retire early (prior to 65) you are allowed to stay on our medical insurance until Medicare eligible by you are responsible for paying BOTH the employer and employee premium.

Now some areas its VERY HARD TO BE A TEACHER. Some schools are in very violent areas. They should get combat pay.

Agreed, and that's the problem with being a teacher these. In my experience it's not the pay that is preventing people from going into teaching - its the demonizing of teaching as a profession that has been happening for the last 20 years.

Used to be teachers knew they were going to make less money, but it was a respected profession. Young people these days decide they don't want to go into a profession where they make less money and are (figuratively) spit on for their job.

WW

 

[SweetSue92]

Good benefits yes? Low cost good insurance?

On average employers pay between 70-80% of health insurance premiums and the employee pays the remaining 20-30%.

That's about the same for the school system for which I work.



That's not that hard a metric to achive since most employers don't offer pensions anymore.



Agreed, however it's not "paid time off". Our contract is for 200 days - with no earned vaction days. Typically in the private sectord the number of days per year is 260 days with accrued vaction days.



Benefits are a factor, agreed. Howver where I work there are no medical benefits once you reach 65 and become Medicare eligible.

If you retire early (prior to 65) you are allowed to stay on our medical insurance until Medicare eligible by you are responsible for paying BOTH the employer and employee premium.



Agreed, and that's the problem with being a teacher these. In my experience it's not the pay that is preventing people from going into teaching - its the demonizing of teaching as a profession that has been happening for the last 20 years.

Used to be teachers knew they were going to make less money, but it was a respected profession. Young people these days decide they don't want to go into a profession where they make less money and are (figuratively) spit on for their job.

WW

The general public thinks it's still the 90s in terms of insurance benefits for teachers. When I started, I DID have the "Cadillac Plan": no deductible, no co-pays, everything covered. Those days are LONG gone. My benefits are no better than my husband's now, in the private sector.

 

[WorldWatcher]

That depends. If you've been with a company for some time, you get generous vacation/PTO time. We do not get ANY PTO time. We can't just leave for an hour and come back.

You school doesn't acrue sick leave for Teachers?

That's pretty harsh.

WW

 

[WorldWatcher]

The general public thinks it's still the 90s in terms of insurance benefits for teachers. When I started, I DID have the "Cadillac Plan": no deductible, no co-pays, everything covered. Those days are LONG gone. My benefits are no better than my husband's now, in the private sector.

For over 20 years we've taken our health/dental/vision through my wifes job because for it's value it was a better plan. Her plan was a couple of bucks more but I'd rate it as a "B" tier plan while rating ours as "C" tier.

WW

 

[SweetSue92]

You school doesn't acrue sick leave for Teachers?

That's pretty harsh.

WW

Yes, but we are beholden to take at least a half day. We can't take one hour, or even two. That's first.

Secondly, whatever time we're gone, we spend that much time writing sub plans. I don't know another profession where this is the norm, do you? (Honest question). Even sick as sick can be, I take Tylenol and then spend 3 hours on sub plans.

I love teaching. I'm a born teacher.

But for all these reasons and more I would not recommend to any young person. And that breaks my heart.

 

[rightwinger]

That depends. If you've been with a company for some time, you get generous vacation/PTO time. We do not get ANY PTO time. We can't just leave for an hour and come back.

52 weeks x 5 days =260 days
Take off 3 weeks vacation and 10 holidays and the average workers work 235 days compared to 180 for a teacher

Teachers work 3/4 of the time as other professionals
They don’t deserve the same pay.

 

[eagle1462010]

The general public thinks it's still the 90s in terms of insurance benefits for teachers. When I started, I DID have the "Cadillac Plan": no deductible, no co-pays, everything covered. Those days are LONG gone. My benefits are no better than my husband's now, in the private sector.

I pay $850 a month for insurance. How about you guys?

 

[eagle1462010]

Um this is not even close to universally true. I pay through the nose for my benefits and have a high deductible. My pension is only half my ending salary.

Inform yourselves, people.

1/2 ending salary is not bad. Same as military that goes into combat.

One of my sisters had to stay in teaching specifically because of insurance. My Nephew had Cerabal Palsy. Has to have it and her insurance via teaching has covered him all his life.

I still say other than govt or military your insurance is better than most of us out here's insurance.

 

[WorldWatcher]

Yes, but we are beholden to take at least a half day. We can't take one hour, or even two. That's first.

Secondly, whatever time we're gone, we spend that much time writing sub plans. I don't know another profession where this is the norm, do you? (Honest question). Even sick as sick can be, I take Tylenol and then spend 3 hours on sub plans.

I love teaching. I'm a born teacher.

But for all these reasons and more I would not recommend to any young person. And that breaks my heart.

"I don't know another profession where this is the norm, do you?"

Yes, every 10 month and 11 month position in our system.

• Food Service
• Instructional Assistants
• Bus Drivers
• Custodians
• Secretaries
• etc.

WW

 

[WorldWatcher]

I pay $850 a month for insurance. How about you guys?

What section of the country do you live in?

Are you paying for an individual plan or are you on an employer plan?

Employee Only, Employe + Spouse, Employee + Chidren, or Employee + Family?

Are you paying the whole premium or is the employer cost sharing? If cost sharing what is the percentage split and what is the employer portion?

I'd be happy to provide our approximate rates but need more data before I can do an apples-to-apples comparsison.

WW

 

[Lisa558]

Teachers earn more than those they have educated. So why do they complain about their pay?

Teachers: $66,000
Their graduates: $61,000

Plus they get the entire summer off.

 

[eagle1462010]

Alabama Teaching Salaries and Benefits - Teaching Certification

I pay more in a month than yearly teachers pay for insurance Alabama.

My construction job we get no paid holidays. No sick leave. And it is easy to get hurt in construction.

Teachers still have cadillac plans.