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Teacher Salaries By State

Should teacher salaries in your state increase, decrease of stay the same?

  • They should be higher.

    Votes: 14 46.7%

  • They should be lower.

    Votes: 6 20.0%

  • They should stay the same.

    Votes: 10 33.3%
  • Total voters
    30
Got it.

According to the ISBE, the annual salary data reported to them is the same as the "total creditable earnings" reported to the Teachers Retirement System. It includes, among other things, extra-duty pay (coaching, clubs, etc.), board-paid retirement contributions, vacation and sick day buyouts, bonuses, and other compensation that the Teachers Retirement System includes in total creditable earnings. This salary data does not include the cost of employer-paid health insurance. Individual school district contracts should be consulted for details.
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You came into this thread a little late. My position was always that their salaries are augmented by extra-duty pay. The figures listed are their "contract figures." All teachers in the state of Illinois have employment contracts. Vacation and sick day buyouts are part of annual compensation. And part of their package. The only thing that wouldn't be considered "pay" would be the employer contribution to their pension -- which, in Illinois, is 8%, I believe. Or just slightly more than Social Security. There are no surprises there -- other than that ONE.
 
MaggieD said:
Got it.



You came into this thread a little late. My position was always that their salaries are augmented by extra-duty pay. The figures listed are their "contract figures." All teachers in the state of Illinois have employment contracts. Vacation and sick day buyouts are part of annual compensation. And part of their package. The only thing that wouldn't be considered "pay" would be the employer contribution to their pension -- which, in Illinois, is 8%, I believe. Or just slightly more than Social Security. There are no surprises there -- other than that ONE.
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Those would not be figures that would be included when discussing one's salary. Further, I don't know what the deal is in Illinois, but in many states, teachers can "bank" their vacation/sick time from year to year rather than buying out. Between that and the board contribution, we are talking about additional numbers that don't get figured into one's salary, and that one does not receive monies for.
 
We're talking contract salary. Or at least I'm talking contract salary. Soooo, if someone had elected to have their vacation/sick days bought out, it would be in their contract. No big deal.

I like mine better, so I'll go with that.
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Me, too!!!! See!!!! We agree!!!!

G'night, Captain. It's been fun.
 
MaggieD said:
We're talking contract salary. Or at least I'm talking contract salary. Soooo, if someone had elected to have their vacation/sick days bought out, it would be in their contract. No big deal.
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Just because it is in their contract doesn't mean it is reflected monetarily in their pay.



Me, too!!!! See!!!! We agree!!!!

G'night, Captain. It's been fun.
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I suppose. It certainly has been interesting. Have a good night.
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
Does she realize that what is quoted includes vacation buyouts and what the board adds into her retirement benefits? This is not salary.
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She said that is the number she was given at the beginning of the year when she signed her contract.
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
Just because it is in their contract doesn't mean it is reflected monetarily in their pay.
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I think that's one of the points she was trying to make. Did you call the board of education to complain yet?
 
MaggieD said:
If you look at my post earlier in this thread, you will see two other teachers' salaries posted from the website in the same district as my friend--TEACHERS with a Bachelor's earning $170,000 plus. It is accurate.

@ Harry -- I agree with you. And, from the posts on this website, most people are not aware of teacher salaries. Again, I'll say, teachers are sacred cows....and it's because people are uninformed and/or misinformed intentionally.
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it's inaccurate. that said, i don't think have any more reason to complain about therir salaries than most other people do. they chose that career.
 
Lord Tammerlain said:
What level of education is required to generally teach in the US?
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Excellent question,with many answers...With home schooling, in some states, one can be an illiterate and "teach" their children.
Other states are a lot more on the ball.
Its normally 4 years at college, but "teacher aids" do a lot of work and their qualifications are sketchy.
My experience?
All of my New York State teachers were, IMO, excellent.
Much reform is necessary in this field as well.
The older teachers are overcompensated and those just starting off are under-compensated.
Their education can be improved,I think.
Teaching is a gift.
I have run across people who are gifted, yet they may have little or no education.
We need ways to ID these people and make them teachers.
 
MaggieD said:
I don't even like THINKING about it. Starting salaries may be about average (for a nine-month position, don't forget), but a few years down the road, and you're talking big bucks. Subjective experience: a friend started teaching at 22. She is retiring at 52. Last year, she made $160,000 as a Science Teacher, plus head of the Science Department at the high school. Her pension? 3% per year of service or $144,000 with a 3% increase per year. (Won't be quite that high for purists; they take an average of the last four years B4 they take the 3%.) Oh, and, of course, they get full medical insurance with a small kick-in.

How on EARTH are taxpayers supposed to fund THAT?????
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State Starting Salary Average Salary 10-year increase Salary Comfort Index
Alabama $31,368 $40,347 28.9% 13
Alaska $38,657 $53,553 7.9% 30
Arizona $30,404 $44,672 37.5% 35
Arkansas $28,784 $42,768 44.8% 11
California $35,760 $59,825 41.6% 44
Colorado $35,086 $44,439 25.7% 12
Connecticut $39,259 $59,304 18.0% 22
Delaware $35,854 $54,264 33.9% 2
Florida $33,427 $43,302 29.9% 26
Georgia $34,442 $48,300 42.1% 3
Hawaii $35,816 $49,292 37.7% 50
Idaho $27,500 $41,150 33.2% 33
Illinois $37,500 $58,686 43.4% 1
Indiana $30,844 $47,255 25.4% 8
Iowa $27,284 $41,083 26.9% 31
Kansas $27,840 $41,467 28.1% 21
Kentucky $30,619 $42,592 28.8% 15
Louisiana $31,298 $40,029 45.4% 20
Maine $26,643 $40,737 23.9% 47
Maryland $37,125 $54,333 32.0% 37
Massachusetts $35,421 $56,369 35.0% 34
Michigan $35,557 $54,739 16.9% 4
Minnesota $31,532 $48,489 31.3% 10
Mississippi $28,200 $40,576 46.5% 19
Missouri $29,281 $40,462 25.2% 16
Montana $25,318 $39,832 35.6% 46
Nebraska $29,303 $40,382 28.2% 17
Nevada $27,957 $44,426 22.8% 45
New Hampshire $28,279 $45,263 26.5% 48
New Jersey $38,408 $58,156 19.3% 36
New Mexico $33,730 $41,637 43.2% 29
New York $37,321 $57,354 19.2% 38
North Carolina $27,944 $43,922 44.4% 23
North Dakota $24,872 $37,764 40.0% 43
Ohio $33,671 $50,314 33.0% 6
Oklahoma $29,174 $38,772 36.5% 18
Oregon $33,699 $50,044 26.0% 14
Pennsylvania $34,976 $54,027 17.2% 5
Rhode Island $33,815 $54,730 31.0% 42
South Carolina $28,568 $43,011 36.0% 24
South Dakota $26,111 $34,709 31.7% 41
Tennessee $32,369 $42,537 28.4% 9
Texas $33,775 $41,744 32.9% 7
Utah $26,521 $40,007 30.8% 39
Vermont $26,461 $46,622 28.5% 49
Virginia $33,200 $43,823 26.0% 25
Washington $30,974 $46,326 22.4% 32
West Virginia $26,704 $38,284 19.1% 40
Wisconsin $25,222 $46,390 21.5% 28
Wyoming $31,481 $43,255 37.0% 27
 
liblady said:
Georgia $34,442 $48,300 42.1% 3
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We are in Georgia and my wife is due to make about $32,800 as a provisionally certified teacher in the first year, to be bumped up to $39,000 when she finishes her masters degree. After 10 years, the salary schedule shows a little under $50,000 (would be $43,800 if she only had a bachelors).

The absolute most she could possibly make, according to the 2010-2011 salary schedule, and not be in administration, would be if she had 25 years experience and a Ph.D. @$75,400 + some more for summer school and proctoring tests, but I don't have the info for that.

So that list looks pretty accurate, at least for Georgia.

I would love to find out how she could make 160k though. Being a house husband might have its appeal :).
 
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I'm betting those that make more than $100,000 have more than one job in the district.
 
I'd like to say that teaching is a professions in teaching along with professions defense, cross country truck driving(highly under appreciated), medicine and others help this Country operate and they are doing Gods work wherever God may exist. This is why it is so shameful that teaching has become such a politicized union nightmare in my state of California. While there are many educators here on this forum of which I find myself in agreement with, the pay of teachers is the least of my worries when it comes to the degradation of our public school system and even schooling at a university level. One of my anarcho-capitalistic tendencies is that I hope we can eventually someday live in a society where public school is obsolete thanks to advent of home schooling, unschooling, information on demand and other social activities children may take part in where the side effect is a learning experience. I believe that such a society would not only make education better but would create more reward for teachers and more jobs in teaching(theoretical, albeit). Regardless, teacher pay is a red herring. (Please don't hate me)
 
I have no problem with their salary range -- I have a problem with guaranteed union increases, health care for life, and protection's no one in the private sector gets. They should be like everyone else... if we cut their golden parachute of a healthcare for life and their pensions that bankrupt states like NJ (my state), I would support raising their pay.
 
liblady said:
it's inaccurate. that said, i don't think have any more reason to complain about therir salaries than most other people do. they chose that career.
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I don't give a tinker's dam if you believe that website or not, LibLady. There are those who know, and those who think they know. You, on this particular subject, fall into the second category.
 
MaggieD said:
I don't give a tinker's dam if you believe that website or not, LibLady. There are those who know, and those who think they know. You, on this particular subject, fall into the second category.
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well, maggie, it seems you have no proof of your position. i posted facts, while you posted a skewed statement with no proof.
 
There's no reason that teacher salaries should be so high and requirements so high as well. I could probably teach all of kindergarten to 8th grade, and probably a lot of classes in high school.
 
liblady said:
well, maggie, it seems you have no proof of your position. i posted facts, while you posted a skewed statement with no proof.
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The numbers on Maggie's site were from the IL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. You callin' them liars?
 
liblady said:
well, maggie, it seems you have no proof of your position. i posted facts, while you posted a skewed statement with no proof.
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You didn't even read my posts, did you, LibLady? Can't say as I blame you since there are so many on this topic. You don't even know WHAT you posted. I posted the facks, Jack.

People just can't believe what teachers make in Illinois. They can't believe that 30 years teaching earns them 90% of salary....full healthcare benefits 'til age 65 and Medicare...and even THEN a free supplement. They can't believe teachers are getting bought out with $$ incentives to retire. It's a well-guarded secret for very good reason.
 
Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy over paid in Illinois for working 9 months. No wonder why so many people want to become teachers. Fairly easy job and HUUUUGE benefits!
 
I have always thought teachers should make more due to the importance of their job and feel bad for teachers in states where they will fire your ass if students do not reach certain goals or scores.

It would be kind of like where if you are a Supervisor that must train employees to do a certain job and if a certain number of them end up being a crappy employees? You get the boot. Does not seem fair to me as you can only teach to a point and the rest is up to the person who is suppose to be doing the job.

I really think a lot of students who fail in school is not a direct reflection on the teachers ability to do their jobs and that a lot of other factors may come in to play mainly lack of student motivation and lack of parental involvement. Not to mention social things and home environments of failing students.
 
Pay should be irrelevant of performance? I'd hate to see the world that you envision.
 
phattonez said:
Pay should be irrelevant of performance? I'd hate to see the world that you envision.
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Maybe she envisions a world where evaluation of performance is more sophisticated than the one you envision.
 
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