Teacher Pay

Teacher Pay is a controversial subject in the United States. Some liberals, labor unions, and teachers are in favor of undeserved pay raises for teachers. However, many people continue to complain about the low pay of teachers.

Facts about Teacher Pay

• Public school teachers make $43,000 a year, on average compared to $40,100 for other full-time workers.
• Non-teachers do not recieve three month summer vacations, weeks off in the spring and winter, and days off on every federal holiday. Also, many work longer days and sometimes weekends.
• Private school teachers make 60% less than public school teachers.
• The average retirement age for teachers is 59, compared to 64 for other professions.
• Teachers make an average of $30.91 an hour. This is more than: chemists, computer programmers, registered nurses, psychologists, social workers, artists, architects, statisticians, biological and life scientists, atmospheric and space scientists, physical therapists, librarians, technical writers, musicians, editors, and reporters^{[Citation Needed]}.
• Teachers have almost complete job security.
• Public school teachers have a benefits package worth 26% of their salary on average, compared to 17% for private school teachers.
• 80% of teachers do not take summer jobs.
• Elementary education is the most popular college major; there is no lack of teachers.
• Over 20,000 teachers in the US are making more than $100,000 via liberal experimentation in the education system^{[Citation Needed]}.

Teacher Opposition to Issues Regarding Pay

Teachers are generally against a school voucher program, stating that it would lower teacher pay. However, many conservatives believe the competition for good teachers in a free market would substantially increase teacher pay.

Teachers generally oppose charter schools and homeschooling.