5/18/2023
We can agree that teaching is a fundamental task for the development of nations. Education at any level can have a profound impact on the economy, workforce, morale and other aspects of a society.
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Some experts believe that teachers or professors should be the highest paid. The truth of the matter is that each country has its own appreciation of the subject and this is reflected in the salary that teachers receive.
In the specific case of the United States, information from the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that a public school teacher earns an average of $63,645 a year or $16 an hour.
How much does an elementary school teacher earn in the USA?
As you might expect, an elementary teacher's income is going to vary depending on certain factors and where they are teaching.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earned a median of $61,820 in 2021. This also indicates that teachers earn more than the average in other occupations ($53,490).
These figures correspond to teachers with at least 5 years of experience. When you start this profession, the data indicates that the base salary is at $37,000 per year.
The state in which you teach is an important factor in the amount of salary. These are the regions where elementary teachers earn the most money in the United States:
- New York: $82,830
- California: $82,560
- Massachusetts: $82,450
- Connecticut: $82,450
- Alaska: $75,860
States such as Maryland and Oregon have raised teacher salaries over the past 5 years. For this reason, you can earn up to $75,380 in MD. At the other extreme, Mississippi, South Dakota and Virginia pay the least. In each of these states, pay hovers around $45,760, $47,670, and $50,130, respectively.
How much does a high school teacher earn in the U.S.?
High school becomes very important because it is the stepping stone to college. At this level of education, teachers with at least 5 years of experience can earn on average about $65,930 per year.
In most states they are the highest paid professionals and a sample of this are the cities where they offer the highest incomes:
- Bakersfield: $97,680
- Fresno: $93,410
- San Francisco: $93,410
- El Centro: $90,970
- New York (NY): $90,050
It is important to know that baccalaureate teacher salaries have increased by more than 20% the last 5 years. An example of this is the increase in average salary from $57,470 (2014) to $71,780 (2019). According to the BLS and other sources, the highest paying states in this category would be:
- California: $94,600
- New York: $92,660
- Massachusetts: $85,360
- Washington: $85,260
- Connecticut: $79,530
- New Jersey: $79,260
- District of Columbia: $77,760
- Virginia: $76,430
- Oregon: $76,090
- Maryland: $75,840
How much does a university professor earn in the United States?
When you pursue a career as a teacher or professor, you can aspire to teach at a university institution. This academic foray requires some practical background, good classroom management and some skills acquired through study.
This results in full-time professionals who can earn more than $100,000 per year. As for the average salary of a college professor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics places it at $79,640.
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However, the final pay will depend on several factors: institution, level of instruction, academic rank and geographic location. For example, assistants earn a similar average at public and private universities: $77,954 vs. $77,842.
Professors with master's degrees can practice at public institutions, but most institutions with 4-year programs require a PhD or other doctoral degree.
The latter tend to earn more than the former. For example, someone with tenure can earn $141,017 at a private university or $121,057 at a public university.
Average salary by major
There are subjects that receive better compensation than others because of their socioeconomic importance. While education professors are on the lower end ($64,000), those who teach law can earn up to $120,000+ for their expertise. To look at it better, these are the highest-priced subjects:
- Law: $123,470
- Economics: $104,940
- Engineering: $104,940
- Health specialties: $102,720
- Atmospheric, space and marine sciences: $98,070
States that pay the most to university professors
According to NCES, faculty working in DC are the highest paid in the nation, with an average of $115,372. These earnings correspond to any institutional level and in most subject areas. A doctor in the District of Columbia can earn as much as $143,500.
That said, the highest paying states are:
- Massachusetts: $112,141
- California: $109,371
- New Jersey: $109,290
- Connecticut: $107,248
- Delaware: $105,103
All in all, you should know that teachers can earn well, especially at the college level. It is estimated that this profession will grow by 12% by 2030, something to take into account if you have decided to teach in the United States.
Español: ¿Cuánto gana un profesor en Estados Unidos?