What do you do that you earn six figures?

[u/fidgit86]

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?

[u/MarshalltheBear]

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.

[u/Numerous-Explorer → u/MarshalltheBear]

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

[u/MarshalltheBear → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/raytsou → u/MarshalltheBear]

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.

[u/latenorgreat → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/AutumnalSunshine → u/latenorgreat]

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.

[u/latenorgreat → u/AutumnalSunshine]

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

[u/AutumnalSunshine → u/latenorgreat]

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

[u/er15ss → u/latenorgreat]

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.

[u/zkat21 → u/latenorgreat]

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.

[u/latenorgreat → u/zkat21]

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.

[u/zkat21 → u/latenorgreat]

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.

[u/PopPop41 → u/zkat21]

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.

[u/KatAndAlly → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/mtcrabtree → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/mtcrabtree]

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

[u/areyouvanquished → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/still366 → u/areyouvanquished]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/areyouvanquished]

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

[u/MrP1anet → u/Numerous-Explorer]

Heavily depends on the state. Arizona pays their teachers shit

[u/Open_Bake_2212 → u/MrP1anet]

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

[u/MrP1anet → u/Open_Bake_2212]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/MrP1anet]

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

[u/MrP1anet → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/ThinVast → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/G0tg0t → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/G0tg0t]

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

[u/HandCarvedRabbits → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/thelmick → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/thelmick]

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.

[u/IsayNigel → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/IsayNigel]

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.

[u/IsayNigel → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

Awesome, thanks for the info!

[u/G0tg0t → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

Well that would make it 120 or 130k lol

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/G0tg0t]

I live very well in NYC with that income

[u/carlos_the_dwarf_ → u/G0tg0t]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/carlos_the_dwarf_]

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

[u/Brownie12bar → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/Brownie12bar]

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

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/Brownie12bar]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/ScaredLettuce]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/[deleted]]

"Tier 5 members of TRS are vested in the retirement system after achieving 10 years of service credit and contribute 3.5 percent of their salaries for the life of their employment."

SOURCE

You're talking about the full pension plan, where you can't retire until you're 57 or have done 30 years of service. I won't be staying that long.

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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:)))

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/ScaredLettuce]

Yea, I see what you’re saying. There are different degrees of “vested”, and I’m not staying in long enough to get the 57/30 year service cut off for the max benefit.

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/ScaredLettuce]

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

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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.

[u/G0tg0t → u/carlos_the_dwarf_]

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

[u/eldersveld → u/carlos_the_dwarf_]

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.

[u/carlos_the_dwarf_ → u/eldersveld]

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.

[u/Numerous-Explorer → u/G0tg0t]

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+?

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/Numerous-Explorer → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

Sorry, guess the article I read was wrong

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/Numerous-Explorer]

No worries internet friend.

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/IsayNigel → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/IsayNigel]

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?

[u/IsayNigel → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/IsayNigel]

LOL. Dude. Look at the salary schedule for May 14, 2021. Scroll down to it on that web page. The starting salary for someone with a BS and no experience is 61,070. No additional qualifications needed. It's right there. Just read it.

My base salary is 8b L+10, all the way in the right hand column. That base salary is 101,441.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/a-ng → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

Except many teachers quit 5 years in…

[u/thelostgeologist → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

I guess I chose the wrong career 😂

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/G0tg0t → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/6BigAl9 → u/G0tg0t]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/G0tg0t]

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

[u/throwingsomuch → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/throwingsomuch]

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

[u/throwingsomuch → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/throwingsomuch]

Portugal, Spain, Croatia, or Greece

[u/cutthatshutter → u/G0tg0t]

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.

[u/G0tg0t → u/cutthatshutter]

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

[u/cutthatshutter → u/G0tg0t]

Astoria Queens. Great neighborhood.

[u/thatcatlibrarian → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/wrathofthedolphins → u/G0tg0t]

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

[u/Betweeneverytwopines → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/wackogirl → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/RestingGrinchFace- → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/donkeykongking1234 → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.)

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/ScaredLettuce]

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.

[u/ScaredLettuce → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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.

[u/InterestNo9838 → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/captaing85 → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/captaing85]

That’s not bad considering COL

[u/captaing85 → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

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

[u/onederlanddad → u/captaing85]

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.

[u/proverbialbunny → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/calrinet → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/shingfunger → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/Best-Dragonfruit-292 → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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

[u/kozilla → u/Numerous-Explorer]

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.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/kozilla]

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.

[u/KindheartednessGold2 → u/kozilla]

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

[u/Johnny_Swiftlove → u/KindheartednessGold2]

You should probably know that for sure.

[u/KindheartednessGold2 → u/Johnny_Swiftlove]

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.

[u/Johnny_Swiftlove → u/KindheartednessGold2]

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

[u/GooderThanAverage → u/MarshalltheBear]

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.

[u/JustAQuickQuestion28 → u/MarshalltheBear]

And they say teachers are underpaid 🤔

[u/DayDrinker88 → u/JustAQuickQuestion28]

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

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism → u/JustAQuickQuestion28]

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

[u/calrinet → u/JustAQuickQuestion28]

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

[u/RunnerBelle → u/calrinet]

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.

[u/calrinet → u/RunnerBelle]

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.

[u/RoguePlanet1 → u/MarshalltheBear]

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.

[u/DayDrinker88 → u/MarshalltheBear]

Manhattan school?