r/financialindependence • u/fidgit86 • 9d ago

What do you do that you earn six figures?

It seems like a lot of people make a lot of money and it seems like I’m missing out on something. So those of you that do, whats your occupation that pays so well?

15k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

View all comments

204

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Teacher, NYC

102

u/MarshalltheBear 9d ago

I’m a teacher, too! I won’t quite make $100k this year, but I’m close. I’m in a HCOL area and my district tops out at around $130k.

37

u/Numerous-Explorer 9d ago

How does that happen? All the rhetoric says teachers are wayyy underpaid, barely above poverty. How does a teacher make over 100k then?

40

u/MarshalltheBear 9d ago

Teacher pay varies a lot by district and especially by state. Some areas pay pretty well indeed, though on average teacher pay is low for the level of education and training required. In my district the top tier is 35 years of experience plus a masters degree, so it takes a long time and a lot of education to get that salary.

I am making almost $100k in part because I accepted an extra duty assignment (meaning additional work) that adds about 15% to my base salary.

3

u/raytsou 9d ago

There is not a single state where the median teacher starting salary is higher than the median college graduate starting salary. Definitely part of why I dropped my practicum and went for a math degree instead.

30

u/latenorgreat 9d ago

Only a handful of states where you have those salaries (for the top of the salary guide after at least 15-20 years) - CA, CT, MA, NJ, and depending on location NY and IL. But even in those places you're making 40-50k or so for quite a few years. And it's far from every school in those states.

7

u/AutumnalSunshine 9d ago

I'm in northern Illinois, where teacher pay is good.

As a kid, I was so confused why stores kept offering discounts to teachers when they made so much more money than most families in our school district.

It was years before I realized they were national discounts based on the fact that pay is much lower for teachers most places.

3

u/latenorgreat 9d ago

The police discount is much more prevalent, and 100k+ is the norm after only a few years in many more states.

1

u/AutumnalSunshine 9d ago

Very true. I'm nerdy, so I probably just go to more places with the teacher discount (bookstores, etc). :)

4

u/er15ss 9d ago

Yes. I teach in Upstate NY and I might make 100k by the time I retire, maybe. My first year I made $32,500. But on Long Island, a mid-career salary is 100k.

2

u/zkat21 9d ago

Don't forget your compensation includes a pension at the end of the rainbow. My aunts in those states retired from teaching at 55 - 60 with pensions larger than most people's salaries.

And yet teachers in those states still grumble about being underpaid....meanwhile, it's hella competitive to get a job because the pay is so good compared to many other career paths.

7

u/latenorgreat 9d ago edited 9d ago

Yes, people who entered the system multiple decades ago have good pensions and didn't have to contribute heavily for it. Those days are long gone, it's not the reality for anyone who starred teaching within the last 20 years or so. Contributions are much higher, benefits formulas have changed, CoL adjustments get slashed, and the solvency of many plans are severely in doubt.

It's only competitive in the best districts in specific fields (usually high school English/history and maybe elementary classroom teachers). Even in excellent districts CA will hire math/science/STEM teachers under an emergency certificate with no experience.

1

u/zkat21 9d ago

Retirement in CT and MA is still fairly generous, and even in urban districts jobs are fairly competitive for non-charter positions. Even in STEM emergency/alternative certification opportunities require perserverence or connections. Most active recruitment is geared toward PoC who are open to teaching in majority PoC student districts. It's really too bad because students benefit from teachers who have career experience outside of teaching but it's become a very difficult field to transfer into if you're over 25 unless you have a big financial safety net behind you. But it makes sense that a decent salary, great benefits and summers off would attract a lot of people.

4

u/PopPop41 9d ago

My wife’s a teacher in South Jersey, they have changed so much in the past 10 years. Pensions aren’t looking good for the future so the union is having them start their own 401’s. With the last contract they showed that they got good raises but got screwed on benefits and some teachers actually receive less money now then before. She’s been teaching for 10+ years and is making mid 50’s. Depends solely where you live I guess. Unless anything changes for the better in the future she wouldn’t recommend anyone go into teaching without having a connection in a high pay area.

10

u/KatAndAlly 9d ago

So my husband pays teachers. We're in a low COL and the teachers hit the highest "step" with the highest pay possible at about 80k, generally 5-10 years away from retirement. (They may get cost of living raises after that for like a couple dollars here and there but bar salary will not go significantly "up" the ladder after that-- there is no ladder left if they stay as teachers).

They can take on coaching jobs for another 5k (keep in mind there are 3 seasons of sports, but most do one sport, 2 tops). They can also get additional stipends for things like curriculum committees, running grant program, teaching in the summer, maybe some extra currics, or even for being the union rep.

Some will try to get away from teaching to principals or curric directors in admin or etc.

It's a lil sad that my husband has been at his finance administration job like 5 years less than some of these 80k teachers, and he only has a bach, no CPA, (most teachers have master's), but he makes more than them AND he's not on the last rung of the ladder.

6

u/mtcrabtree 9d ago

Get a masters degree and teach for 30 years. New teachers are paid crap.

2

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

New teachers in NYC start at 61k. Not too bad for a kid fresh out of college.

1

u/areyouvanquished 9d ago

I’ve been teaching 28 years In Florida with a Masters degree. I make just slightly more than 60k.

1

u/still366 9d ago

I was making 47500 after 19 years with a masters in the Jacksonville area. Had to move as soon as we were able to. Enjoying it in OR. Is not 100k, but it’s pretty damn good.

0

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Geez. FL doesn’t strike me as a teacher friendly state, especially with DeathSantis picking fights over masks and vaccines.

3

u/MrP1anet 9d ago

Heavily depends on the state. Arizona pays their teachers shit

1

u/Open_Bake_2212 9d ago

I was just going to chime in that here in Arizona they can't even hire enough teachers since the pay is so low. My wife has 10 years of teaching experience and her master's and was only making $42k a year. She finally quit this year and found a different job

1

u/MrP1anet 9d ago

Yeah it’s pretty abysmal. I’m not a teacher but I have a few friends who are just starting or have taught for about two years. A lot of them already are thinking about moving to a state that better values their worth.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I don't know how AZ and NC teachers survive. It's just sad how badly they have it.

1

u/MrP1anet 9d ago

Pretty much through the teachers caring so much. Which makes it even sadder given how little the state cares for them.

3

u/ThinVast 9d ago edited 9d ago

NYC's department of education has the highest annual budget, more than the next 5-6 largest nyc agencies combined.

25

u/G0tg0t 9d ago

100k in NYC doesn't actually get you all that far

44

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Sure does when I have summers off to make an extra 20-30k

7

u/HandCarvedRabbits 9d ago

I just stopped teaching after 20 years and never hit $50k.

4

u/thelmick 9d ago

What do you do to make 20-30k in 3 months?

6

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I do a few different things. I'll do per session work for the school, which is about 55 an hour, but mostly it comes from education consulting work.

4

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

How did you get into that? I’m doe also just finished a summer per session program, but that only nets about 6k

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I just started asking around. There are a lot of education consulting companies in NYC, and after attending workshops I would introduce myself and see if they were interested in taking me on.

1

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

Awesome, thanks for the info!

9

u/G0tg0t 9d ago

Well that would make it 120 or 130k lol

22

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I live very well in NYC with that income

22

u/carlos_the_dwarf_ 9d ago edited 9d ago

It’s a high cost of living place but…come on, it’s not poverty wages.

Edit: downvotes for saying $100k isn’t poverty wages. Get real, you guys.

7

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Yea, as an NYC teacher I'm pretty far from poverty. I'll retire in my late forties.

1

u/Brownie12bar 9d ago

Huh? How will you retire at late 40's without taking a significant hit to your pension?

2

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

After ten years you are vested. There are no penalties.

-1

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

See above- technically you can't. The penalties would be insane.

2

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

You are vested after 10 years. Not sure what penalties you’re talking about

1

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

You are correct but you can't TAKE your pension until you hit the age requirement if you 'separate from service' earlier than the retirement date. Unless you pay severe penalties (specific % deductions per year).

You are on the right track for you, for sure, you can make money, have it wait for you, and leave and do something else with money in the bank. You just won't receive the full amount of money from the city until your designated retirement age (55, 57, 62, whichever), and you can't obtain your TDA until 59 and a half, again without paying penalties. SO you can definitely make money teaching, leave early, do something else and still benefit. But you can't straight up "retire from teaching" and get immediately paid from the DOE in your 40s.

Otherwise...there would be far fewer older teachers in the DOE right now:)))

→ More replies

-1

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

That's a bit misleading- you can't actually officially retire from teaching until 55 at the minimum. You can 'retire' and be financially independent through other sources but technically not from teaching in NYC.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

You get vested after 10 years. You can do whatever you want after that.

1

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

You can't receive your pension though without severe penalties but yes you are correct. You can make money elsewhere but again- that's not through NYC teaching.

1

u/G0tg0t 9d ago

Oh obviously, but its just like 60k in upstate, as in if youre someone on the FIRE sub you'll likely be doing just fine haha

1

u/eldersveld 9d ago

Yeah. I make $96k and do just fine in a rent-stabilized studio in the Village, with plenty left over to save and enjoy myself. Granted, I have no kids or responsibilities to anyone other than myself, and my rent is an inherited rate from 11 years ago, but it’s plain wrong to say $100k “doesn’t go far” in NYC. Hell, if I wanted to live in a lower-cost area of the city, I’d do even better.

1

u/carlos_the_dwarf_ 9d ago

This sub has a selection/survivorship bias for high earners so probably has such a skewed idea of what’s normal.

I will say obviously the early downvotes have been eclipsed.

2

u/Numerous-Explorer 9d ago

I live in SoCal, so I’m aware of that aspect. The average teacher salary in NY is 64k. Is it just over years and years, you can get to 100k+?

15

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Incorrect. In NYC Teachers start at over 60k. The average is more like 80

6

u/Numerous-Explorer 9d ago

Sorry, guess the article I read was wrong

3

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

No worries internet friend.

1

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

The article could be including pre-k teachers, any NY state teachers, charter school, private school etc- any kind of teachers.

NYC teacher salaries are just one type of average salary- for teachers in New York City DOE schools.

You both may be correct depending on which NY teachers are being discussed.

0

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

Because this isn’t true. here is then nyc teacher’s Union’s outline of how much teacher’s make. Op is painting a very misleading picture of how much teachers make.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

That's the salary schedule. You're just proving my point by putting a link to it. My base salary is 8b L+10, all the way in the right hand column. That doesn't include all the per session and consulting work I do, which takes me to about 125, 130k per year.

What questions do you have about the salary schedule?

0

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

Right, because what you’re saying is that teachers start at over 60k and average about 80, teachers can start at 60k in specific circumstances that require additional qualifications and training and you’re including information like per session, which is in no way guaranteed to teachers, and your literal second job.

→ More replies

11

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

In NYC, You’re making six figures after 8 years experience, a Masters, and 30 extra credits

3

u/a-ng 9d ago

Except many teachers quit 5 years in…

2

u/thelostgeologist 9d ago

I guess I chose the wrong career 😂

0

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Here's the salary schedule. The salary for 8b L+10 is 101,441. That's the base salary. It doesn't include the per session and consulting work I do, which puts me at about 125-130k per year.

7

u/G0tg0t 9d ago

NYC is monstrously different than the rest of NY. Any pay grade difference is immediately absorbed by the obscene cost of living there

3

u/6BigAl9 9d ago

They get paid well outside of NYC too. I grew up a couple hours north and more than a few of my high school teachers made six figures.

7

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

You’d be surprised. I don’t have a car, and therefore save quite a lot on that end

1

u/throwingsomuch 9d ago

But per square meter (or square foot, in Americanese) you pay more for accommodation.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Yes, but I love my 1000 sq ft apt. Plus, I’m not going to retire here. I’m moving to Europe.

1

u/throwingsomuch 9d ago

Europe is big. I'm guessing somewhere in the east?

→ More replies

2

u/cutthatshutter 9d ago

It really isn’t. When I was making over 100k in nyc I still had roommates and was paying 600 a month for my share of the apartment that was roughly 5.5% of my gross income. If the goal is to retire early having roommates in a large city with higher income potential is a pretty good way to do it.

2

u/G0tg0t 9d ago

Thats awesome, mind if I ask what part you were living in?

1

u/cutthatshutter 9d ago

Astoria Queens. Great neighborhood.

1

u/thatcatlibrarian 9d ago

NY is a big state. COL is much lower upstate and salaries are less, although. I’m 12 years in and make ~$65k upstate, which is enough to live on in Rochester, even without a spouse, plus I truly take my summers off. Almost no work unless I’m getting paid extra for it. Teachers who retire from a full career in my district currently make ~$100k at retirement. There are also opportunities for pay increases and stipends to up your salary beyond just raises, which I take advantage of. My salary is a little higher than most people with the same number of years in my district because of that, so that would make sense that I hit “average” a little before mid career. I don’t know enough about NYC COL to know what $65k would be comparable there.

1

u/wrathofthedolphins 9d ago

That’s still a decent amount to live off of, even in NYC. I’m honestly surprised it’s that high

5

u/Betweeneverytwopines 9d ago

Start in a good district, work for several years to get your step increases, take classes to increase your education above and beyond bachelors degree, take on additional roles and jobs within the class or district. All of those things add to teachers salary in many districts.

4

u/wackogirl 9d ago

NY in general is better with pay for jobs like teacher and nurse that are often actually underpaid in many other states, even outside of NYC.

2

u/RestingGrinchFace- 9d ago

I'm in PA (horse and buggy area, not a big city), and our starting salary for teachers is just under $57k. The median income for our district is $75k, and the county's median income is $66k. I've heard that one of our neighboring districts (same county) pays more and offers student loan forgiveness after 5 years.

There are areas where teachers are severely underpaid but that isn't everywhere.

2

u/donkeykongking1234 9d ago

I'm in one of the highest paying districts in my state. According to our pay scale, only teachers with A doctorates AND 25 plus years can make 110k. So yeah it def depends on state and district.

2

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

In New York at least it takes a long time to move up the salary scale. You aren't starting out at 100k.....and the job is very very consuming Sept-June- or it can be.

Essentially you can make 100k after spending about 15 years in very demanding conditions on much lower salaries first. Also Arizona, Florida etc pay maybe 30k so the low salaries are not fictional.

Once you get to 100k you are nearing the retirement line...and you are already sort of locked in. It's definitely not a starting salary. (And think about the COL in NYC and surrounding areas.)

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

In NYC you can get 6 figures in ten years. Here's the salary schedule. This is base pay, not including all the per session opportunities throughout the year.

2

u/ScaredLettuce 9d ago

I'm very familiar with the pay schedule- it's 10 years as of May of THIS YEAR, prior to that it took 13 years (2020- in contract), and 15 years as of 2019- but these are all in the recent delayed contract. From 2014 and prior it took at least 18 years. It is not a quick process. It's quicker now- but now there is a tier 6 retirement situation. The pay is good, that's true, but not a quick and easy way to make money and retire early through JUST teaching. (Unless 55 is considered early and again either you signed up for 55/25 or worked 30 years).

Again, 'retiring' through outside revenue including the well paid per session and leaving early is another story.

2

u/InterestNo9838 9d ago

Teachers in my area start out at 30k, I make more and work less as a retail department manager than my teacher friends do 😬

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

The US is enormous, and pay varies widely. In general, southern and Midwestern states pay very poorly, NE states and Cali pay very well.

3

u/captaing85 9d ago

Former Missouri teacher. Before I left I was on year 8, with master's plus 40 credits and made $70,000 with two coaching stipends.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

That’s not bad considering COL

2

u/captaing85 9d ago

The take home pay doesn't reflect that, though. We put 14.5% into the pension system!

5

u/onederlanddad 9d ago

I mean, you get a pension. Most of us have to put away 15% just to save for retirement with no promises on how much it will be worth down the road.

1

u/proverbialbunny 9d ago

It's actually a major issue today. The inequality in teachers pay is very high in the US, which causes teachers to fight over specific places to work. In some parts of the country you can have a very good education from public school and in most of the country teachers are struggling, kids have to share books, and so on.

While it's a bit idealized, if curious checkout how teaching is done in Finland. They have the highest rated public school system in the world and two things they push to make this happen is equality in pay so all teachers get a decent salary, no fighting to work in specific places, and they ban private schools forcing the 0.01% to push tons of money into the school system so their kids get a good education. While I'm not saying we should or shouldn't adopt such systems, it is wise to explore how other places all over the world do things so we can get a better idea of how to improve our own systems.

1

u/calrinet 9d ago

Just as some context, i teach in Louisiana and i make 44k a year

1

u/shingfunger 9d ago

Where my wife is from in PA, starting teacher salary is around $35k and it taps out (after 30 years and a PHD) at $70k. We’re we live now in NJ, you start at $55k and in the end can make $98k. Super dependent on location

1

u/Best-Dragonfruit-292 9d ago

Teachers are sort of like Police Officers, entry pay usually sucks, but time and location are huge variables.

-2

u/kozilla 9d ago

Most teachers are actually very well paid, especially when you start to look at the pensions they get and consider the time off during the summer. I used to do data modeling for a Educational Consulting firm that worked with States as they devised their budgets.

Obviously this varies state to state, region to region, but I think the public perception is largely wrong. The school unions push the narrative that benefits them, which is essentially their job, but it leads to a skewed perspective on the profession.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

The NYC teacher's union does not claim that teachers are underpaid. We are paid well because of our union's negotiations on our behalf.

The teachers claiming to be underpaid ARE underpaid because they work in states that don't allow unions. They are mostly in the south.

1

u/KindheartednessGold2 9d ago

I am a new teacher and I don’t think pensions exist anymore where I am in Virginia.

1

u/Johnny_Swiftlove 8d ago

You should probably know that for sure.

1

u/KindheartednessGold2 8d ago

I am having a hard time finding any recent information and it looks like I have to contribute to the pension?? I found this article from 2014

https://www.teacherpensions.org/state/virginia

Idk I guess I will call the retirement system and see what they say about it.

1

u/Johnny_Swiftlove 8d ago

Are you unionized? If so, your union rep should be able to tell you everything you need to know.

3

u/GooderThanAverage 9d ago

You can teach internationally. Flights, 100% free health insurance, visas, housing (rent), utilities, and transportation is usually included.

And if you teach in a super low COL area (Africa, Latin America, parts of Asia), you may only spend 200 bucks/month while earning 5k/month. Look into it.

And 3 months paid vacation to explore your new country.

-1

u/JustAQuickQuestion28 9d ago

And they say teachers are underpaid 🤔

3

u/DayDrinker88 9d ago

Cost of living is a thing. $50k is Houston, TX probably gets you close to $100k in Brooklyn, NYC

3

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Many are underpaid. Check out the salaries in AZ, NC, WV, MS, FL, SD, and many many other states.

4

u/calrinet 9d ago

For some context, i teach in Louisiana, am in my 7th year, get an extra stipend for being a band director and i make like 44k-ish

2

u/RunnerBelle 9d ago

I was a music teacher in NJ for 13 years, just resigned, and I had yet to break $60k. If I had stayed in my district, I never would’ve reached 6 figures. Our scale didn’t go that high unless you were at the top of the guide with a doctorate.

3

u/calrinet 9d ago

Yeah that's what I'm saying!

And our salary schedules are posted publicly so i just looked it up and even with the top qualifications you max out at 26 years with $59k. Now the area we live in is low cost of living (at least i think, i honestly don't know how it compares tbh) but it's so jarring to me to hear that teachers are getting paid 6 figures.

1

u/RoguePlanet1 9d ago

Wondering if the COL eats into the high teacher salaries too much, in places like NYC. The teachers I know live in the south and their houses are dirt cheap. They take tons of vacations, a few of which are rather expensive.

1

u/DayDrinker88 9d ago

Manhattan school?

8

u/wander2071 33M | 40% SR | 10% FIRE 9d ago edited 9d ago

Teacher in year 10; moved into admin recently, but still teach. With coaching salary, I’m close to 90k in not-NYC or Cali.

Gotta get the masters and be willing to take on additional responsibilities and climb the ladder a bit. My story is not common, I’ve taken on a ton of leadership responsibility in the school.

You can totally stay in classroom and take on a department chair role, that’ll help with pay.

Ultimately, though, if you wanna get paid in education you need to be: (A) willing to move and/or (B) willing to move into some admin responsibilities.

If you just teach your 5 classes at the same place forever, it’ll take far too long to get to the top of the pay scales (EDIT: speaking about not-nyc/Cali/MA/CT still)

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

"If you just teach your 5 classes at the same place forever, it’ll take far too long to get to the top of the pay scales"

Not really. You can reach six figures in NYC with in 8 years. That doesn't include any per session that you do (which is ample), or any work you do during summer ( which can add as much as 20-30k to your base salary, as in my case).

7

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

1

u/chipmunksdownloadnow 9d ago

Any advice for a 35 year old male who is literally just getting into the field? I’m K-4 certified with a M.Ed. Finished my first year as a learning support teacher’s aide in a public school and then taught 4th grade summer school this summer at the same school district. As of right now, going back to the aide position for one more year. I’m in a decent paying Pennsylvania school district, but it’s like chum in the water when an open teacher position gets posted on the board. Thank you.

4

u/rrdiadem 9d ago

Teacher, CA. Just finished 8th year and have my masters. I teach during my prep, teach summer school, and adjunct at local community college 1 class per semester. This past year there were a lot of opportunities for extra work (tutoring, curriculum development, "tech support" for dinosaur teachers). I usually make $115-$125k but this past school year I cleared $144k

4

u/Wonderful_Ad_6316 9d ago

Same, Canada!

2

u/Speciou5 9d ago

Wow, where in Canada do you get $100k as a teacher? Toronto/Vancouver/Private? Or do you mean filthy Canadian dollars

1

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

-1

u/zaserman 9d ago

“Depending on state, the[y] can make 35k”

Why are Canadians like this? Couldn’t help not adding a snarky comment?

“Edit: Depending on province you can make even less than 35k with a higher cost of living!”

0

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

0

u/zaserman 9d ago

My guy. There was no reason to try to highlight the worst salary you could find online to represent American teacher salaries. Not to mention American and Canadian average flip by year and it’s perfectly possible “on average Canadian teachers are paid less”. Maybe I’m just glad we don’t have teachers dumb enough to not understand cherry picking (also glad the teacher commenting on barely legal posts on “tiktokthots” isn’t from my country)

4

u/Jeff-Jeffers 9d ago

Thank you for all that you do

3

u/cynicalturkey 9d ago

Wouldn’t this vary depending on the subject, grade and type of school you teach at?

2

u/TaraMarie90 9d ago

Type of school, definitely. But pay scales in public schools are determined at the district level and based on how many years you have been teaching only- cannot be affected by grade level or subject. That being said, for certain subjects like sped or science where it that can be hard to find candidates, teachers have a little bargaining power, but only in what “counts” as the number of years of experience they have. For example, I have heard about teachers in those positions getting a year of tutoring or teaching in a private school to count towards their years or experience and raise them up on the pay scale.

That being said, early childhood Ed is the exception and is horrifically underpaid. Oftentimes workers don’t make much more than minimum wage.

1

u/KakkaKarrot 9d ago

Type of school for sure. Most schools in NYC would never pay a teacher that much

3

u/Swaggerzanski32 9d ago

Chicago Suburban Teacher Checking in! At 70k now a few years into my career but have the possibility to top out around 150k (with coaching)

3

u/ximeni 9d ago

Teacher in Orange County, CA. I’m going to make over $100K next school year. This is my 20th year teaching and I will have over 80 post-graduate credits by June of 2022.

2

u/Meowteacher 9d ago

I’m making 80k in CA! So close to 100k!

2

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

CA pays pretty well IMO. There aren't many other states where I'd want this profession though unfortunately.

3

u/Meowteacher 9d ago

True. Especially while teaching during a pandemic.

2

u/Dangerous-Forever-67 9d ago

Teaching in rural Missouri and make $32,000 before taxes on my second year. Coaching opportunities and other extracurriculars add maybe $1000 a year, but the time investment vs the pay will never be close. If you want to teach in the Midwest, either find a suburban/urban district that pays decently or accept making as much as a your local Walmart cashier (I totally don't regret my career path hahahahaha).

1

u/calrinet 9d ago

Yeah there are some teachers above this making me think about moving and teaching somewhere else.

I do the whole extra stipend thing and take on extra responsibilities and i don't get anything close to 100k lol

2

u/Dsiee 9d ago

Woo! Me too, well a high school department head and $120k Australian. My living expenses are under $12k so it works pretty well.

1

u/BuckshotLaFunke 9d ago

What do you teach? I’ve been thinking about teaching in NYC. Would love to ask you some questions about your experience.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I teach ESL and ELA

1

u/little_Nasty 9d ago

How’s the cost of living in NYC?

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Rent/Mortgage is high, no escaping that. There’s also a city tax the rest of NY doesn’t have to pay, but I do. However, I don’t need a car, which most Americans spend around 10% of their income on, but I don’t. Not having to pay car insurance, car payments, repairs, inspection, etc definitely makes up for that extra city tax and other high COL costs. But I’m not going to retire in the city.

1

u/BlacksmithFit6950 9d ago

Same, NYC teacher, year 16, and $100K+ for the last few years. I quickly completed two masters programs via Grants early in my career (additional credits increase the pay scale here). My cost of living isn’t terrible considering that I live in an outer borough. We get a steady pay increase each year, and I have about fifteen more years before I qualify (age) to retire.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I'll leave before that official retirement age. I want to live abroad while I still have energy.

1

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

How long have you been in the system, and do you have your MA +30?

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Eleven years, two Masters degrees.

2

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

Ahh so you’re at +30. Nice, good for you! I’m six years in working towards my +30

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

It is so worth it. Good luck my friend!

1

u/IsayNigel 9d ago

Thank you very much! Registering for as many CLEP exams as I can.

1

u/SFAFROG 9d ago

I’m a teacher. I make $61,000 after 12 years of creditable experience. My wife makes a little over $70,000 in year 22. We’re both in inner suburbs of Dallas. First year teachers are at like $57,000.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

In NYC first year teachers start at $61k. You’re at $101k after ten years of experience, a Masters, and 30 additional credits.

1

u/SaneEscapee 9d ago

Do you teach grade school or uni?

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

High school.

1

u/FJPollos 9d ago edited 9d ago

Researcher, BA, MA, PhD. I clear under 30k/year (after taxes), major research uni in the EU. Joke's on me and my cultured ass.

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

I originally wanted to be a uni prof. The stories I heard convinced me otherwise.

1

u/FJPollos 9d ago edited 9d ago

Yes, people, please listen to me, just don't. I'm not saying it's all bad, it is not. It's mostly bad though. I have friends with an Harvard PhD who make more or less as much as retail workers. Higher education is just broken beyond repair. The sooner it collapses, the better.

1

u/lukabrazi3 9d ago

https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/

I’m 11 years in as a teacher and make less that $60,000.

1

u/KateBeckinsale_PM_Me 9d ago

Friend's a teacher in South Texas. making just shy of $90K/year. It gets better if you figure the summer vacation, thanksgiving, spring break, xmas/new years and all the small days off along the way.

1

u/wrathofthedolphins 9d ago

Really? I didn’t realize you could make that much as a teacher. What do you teach? Is it private or public?

1

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Public. Private school teachers make less and have fewer benefits.

0

u/StrongAsMeat 9d ago

Television teaches us that US teachers are very poorly paid... My wife is barely over 100k CAD after 25+ years

2

u/EgoDefenseMechanism 9d ago

Most states pay poorly. A few pay very well.

0

u/teacher272 9d ago

Plus, no state requires us to teach even half of the days of the year so we have tons of free time.