Low Teacher Pay Keeps Experienced Educators Out of the Middle Class

A new report,  Mid- and Late-Career Teachers Struggle With Paltry Incomes, released  by the Center for American Progress reveals that low teacher pay is keeping experienced educators out of the middle class. The report highlights the growing problem of paltry mid- and late-career teacher salaries and proposes options to increase teacher salaries and keep talented teachers in the profession.

“Far too many teachers are working second jobs,” said Ulrich Boser, co-author of the report and a CAP Senior Fellow. “Low teacher pay keeps qualified individuals out of the profession, and as a nation, we need to come up with more creative solutions to help teachers get the pay that they deserve.”

The report found that in many states, the base salaries of mid- and late-career educators are deeply low. In some states, for example, a teacher with a master’s degree and 15 years of experience makes less than a sheet metal worker. In other states, experienced teachers make less than a flight attendant. For the report, the authors relied on base teacher salaries, which typically does not include summer jobs or other forms of additional income.and districts develop smarter career paths for teacher, and the authors believe that innovative compensation systems can help keep talented teachers in the profession.