The Average Primary Teacher's Salary
Elementary school teachers lay the groundwork for a child to learn additional material, shaping a child's vision of education and the world as they grow. These teachers often put in long hours and lobby on behalf of their students. Unfortunately, elementary teachers remain in a low pay bracket. Theirs is a profession entered for love of children and knowledge rather than for love of money.
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Average Salary
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The average salary for elementary school teachers in 2009 stood at $53,150, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average elementary school teacher salary is slightly above the median. For 2009, the median stood at $50,510.
Range
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The range for primary school salaries is considerable. Those in the lowest 10 percent earn only $33,830. Teachers in the top 10 percent earn at least $78,720, according to the BLS. The average salary for primary teachers thus leans slightly toward the lower end of the pay scale.
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Employment Area
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The majority of elementary teachers work in schools. As there is a higher concentration of applicants for these positions, those who work in elementary schools receive the highest wages. Primary teachers who work outside of a school earn less. For example, those who work in daycare facilities make only $41,360, or more than $11,000 less than the average salary per year. Some of this may be due to the fact elementary teachers in schools may have many more children to handle at a time and also have some administrative duties.
Experience
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Experience is one of the largest factors impacting the average salary a primary teacher may expect. As reported by the PayScale website, primary teachers with less than one year of experience make only $28,928 to $39,406. At five to nine years, pay reaches $35,567 to $49,234. Those with 20 or more years of experience may make as much as $68,862. These teachers typically have reached tenure.
Education, Teacher Shortages and the Economy
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Like experience, education influences primary teachers' salaries. In general, more certifications or higher degrees entitle primary teachers to request and receive higher wages. However, many districts are experiencing a shortage of qualified teachers. Subsequently, current averages may be lower than would otherwise be seen, as temporary teachers are stepping in to fill vacancies at lower wages. The poor state of the economy in the United States as of 2010 also has led to teacher layoffs and buyouts. This has led to districts replacing seasoned teachers with "green" teachers with less experience; these teachers are not given the salary of their experienced predecessors in most cases.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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Comments
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Public school teachers are not usually paid according to grade level. However, sometimes rare certifications and high need areas get a little extra or get paid for more of their experience.
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Just because you have multiple certs does not mean you can negotiate pay.
