In 2018, teachers from around 300 different school districts went on strike as part of the #RedForEd movement to call for higher wages. In 2022, teachers also went on strike for higher wages and better teaching conditions. Despite these movements, teachers across the country continue to experience relatively low wages.
For average full-time workers, earnings increased 2.6% from 2010 to 2019, whereas teacher pay declined by 4.4% for high school teachers and 8.4% for elementary and middle school teachers.
Annual reports from the National Education Association examining educator pay and school funding from prekindergarten through college show that salaries have continued to lag behind inflation over the past decade.
Teachers are generally paid less than other full-time workers in the United States, and many educators with advanced degrees remain underpaid compared to professionals with similar education levels in other fields.
“Teachers are paid more when they have more education and the longer they’ve been teaching,” Ashley Bignell, an English teacher at Fremont High School, said. “However, teacher pay is lower compared to other professionals who have the same level of education in other jobs.”
In 2021, U.S. workers with a bachelor’s degree made around $25,000 more than workers with no more than a high school diploma. A graduate degree increased average income by an additional $20,000. Despite their education levels, the average teacher is paid similarly to workers with only a bachelor’s degree.
During the school year, the average teacher works extra hours, spending around 50 hours per week teaching and about $300 of personal money on classroom supplies. Public school teachers also tend to be paid slightly more than private school teachers on average, although this varies depending on the school.
Urban and suburban teachers generally earn higher wages than rural teachers, and salaries often increase with experience. However, the overall trend of slow teacher wage growth remains consistent.
Although teachers do not typically work during the summer months, many districts offer educators the choice between receiving their salary over the 10 months of the school year or spreading payments across all 12 months.
Jenn Ramsey, a special education teacher at Fremont High School, explained that teacher pay is one of the biggest things she would improve within school districts.
“I would not be able to afford to live if I was single,” Ramsey said, adding that having a partner helps offset financial strain.
Ramsey added that “You do not teach for money. You teach to inspire and change lives. You teach to show kids a kind adult. You teach because you love your curriculum.”
She also explained that earning multiple degrees helps increase teacher pay.
An article published by the Foundation for Economic Education argued that teachers are not underpaid, stating that the average teacher already earns market-level wages plus retirement benefits exceeding those of many other full-time workers. Meanwhile, an article published by Education Week stated that teachers are paid less than comparable workers with similar education levels. The article also noted that teachers work an average of 10 more hours per week than comparable professionals.
“I feel Fremont does pay fairly,” Deena Bignell, a math teacher at Fremont High School, said. “I have been paid less at other schools and it did seem low for the years of experience and my advanced degree,” explaining that while she believes her current salary is fair, it still feels low considering her experience and education level.
Teacher salaries are locally determined, meaning affluent districts often pay more than poorer districts. Teachers also typically cannot negotiate raises outside their district’s salary schedule.
Deena Bignell also offered advice to students considering education as a future career.
“They [students] need to pay attention to the cost of living in the area compared to the pay,” Deena Bignell said. “High pay can still be a struggle in the high cost areas. The more you advance your degree the more you get paid, but it is important to spend a couple years in the field to make sure it is the career you want before spending more money.”