How Much Money Does a Teacher Make on Average?
Several factors affect teacher pay. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides data on the median earnings for various occupations, including teachers. BLS data is available for three categories of teaching careers.
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Primary and Secondary Teachers
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According to the BLS, the median annual wages paid to primary and secondary school teachers ranged from $47,100 to $51,180. Primary school teachers include those working in kindergarten, elementary and middle grades. The lowest 10 percent of primary and secondary teachers earned between $30,970 and $34,280, while the top 10 percent during the same period earned $75,190 to $80,970.
Vocational Teachers
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Vocational teachers are sometimes called career and technical education (CTE) teachers, or career-technology teachers. CTE teachers primarily work in the middle and high school grades teaching practical job skills for students planning to enter the workforce rather than pursuing a college education. According to the BLS data, the pay for vocational teachers is not significantly different from that of primary and secondary teachers. In 2008, the median annual wages for vocational teachers was $47,870, with the middle 50 percent making from $39,460 t0 $59,470.
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Preschool
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Unlike vocational teachers, the pay for preschool teachers is significantly lower than primary and secondary teachers. In part this is because the educational and training requirements for preschool teachers are generally lower, but they vary by state. The median annual wages of preschool teachers in 2008 was just $23,870, with the top 10 percent earning about $41,660. During the same period, the middle 50 percent made $18,840 to $31,430, while the bottom 10 percent earned under $16,030.
Factors Affecting Teacher Pay
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Three factors significantly effect teacher pay. The first is the level of education. Most states require at least a bachelor's degree to be a primary, secondary or vocational teacher, but teachers with a master's or other advanced degrees often receive higher salaries. Most states also have a seniority system in which teachers with more experience receive higher pay. Finally, geography plays a significant role, with teachers being paid most in states with high cost of living, like California and New York.
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