Teacher
Job Description
The primary task of any teacher is to educate others. Teachers work in a variety of settings. Most teachers educate children, but some also instruct adults. It is the job of a teacher to learn as much as possible about their subject matter and to have a genuine passion for teaching others. Teachers must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. They must also inspire their students and encourage them to learn.
Salary
Teacher salaries can vary widely depending upon location and the area of specialization. The chart below contains more information regarding teacher salaries.
Teacher Salary Statistics as of 2015
Median annual salary for a Teacher is $41,500 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $61,500. The lowest salary reported was $25,500. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Median hourly wage for a Teacher is $21 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly wage recorded was $37. The lowest hourly wage recorded was $14. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Bonuses for a Teacher are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The biggest bonus recorded was $895 from someone with 15+ years of experience. The smallest bonus recorded was $100 from someone with under 1 year of experience.
These are the top 5 highest paying states for a Teacher. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
1. California – $29,567 – $75,123
2. Texas – $29,544 – $61,223
3. Georgia – $39,892 – $53,229
4. New York – $43,140 – $51,141
5. Florida – $35,234 – $49,765
These are the top 5 highest paying cities for a Teacher. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
1. Los Angeles, California – $30,000 – $63,000
2. Boston, Massachusetts – $31,000 – $59,000
3. Austin, Texas – $28,000 – $57,000
4. Atlanta, Georgia – $27,000 – $57,500
5. Orlando, Florida – $25,000 – $55,000’/>
This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Teacher from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $41,566 while in 2008 it was just $36,897
Specialized Fields
These are only a few of the many areas of specialization in the field of teaching:
• Preschool—Preschool teachers focus on preparing children aged two to five for elementary school. Many preschool teachers do not need a college degree, but some preschools are very competitive and may require a teaching degree or other certification.
• Elementary/Middle School—Elementary teachers educate children in kindergarten through either third, fourth or fifth grade. Middle school teachers work with children from the time they leave elementary school until they enter high school.
• High School—High school teachers teach teenagers from ninth through twelfth grades. High school teachers usually specialize in one or two subjects.
• College Professor—College professors and instructors primarily educate adults. They usually teach a small number of classes based on their area of expertise.
• Coach—A coach instructs students in one or more sports. Usually coaches teach at the high school or college level. At the high school level, coaches may teach other subjects in addition to coaching sports.
• Private Tutor—A tutor offers private lessons to individual students or small groups. Many school teachers work as private tutors to earn additional income after school, during summer breaks and after retiring from full-time teaching.
• Music/Art/Enrichment Teacher—A music, art or personal enrichment teacher is similar to a private tutor. They work with students of any age, and give lessons in a subject mainly for the personal enrichment of the student.
• Adult Educator—An adult educator may help adults who never completed their education learn to read or to improve other skills. They also might help adults obtain a GED.
Work Environment
The work environment of teachers is as varied as the different specializations. The majority of teachers work in a public or private school setting. Most teachers have a designated classroom where they meet with their students, although some teachers move from classroom to classroom throughout the day. Elementary teachers usually spend the entire day with the same students, while students in older grades may change classes for different subjects. Both public and private school teachers work under the supervision of a principal and local school board, and may or may not be able to receive tenure. College professors work for public or private universities where they are usually assigned an office. Their classes might consist of adults of any age. In addition to teaching students, college professors may perform research in various settings for their college or university. Private tutors and enrichment teachers may be self-employed and work from home. They might also travel to their student’s homes or have an office or studio where lessons are given. Adult educators often work for community outreach programs, churches or charitable organizations, and many are volunteers.
How To Become a Teacher
Most school teachers are required to have at least a four-year college degree in education. Exceptions are occasionally made for people with specialized knowledge. All public school teachers are also required to receive certification through a state or local licensing board. College professors generally have a master’s or doctorate degree but usually don’t require special licensure or certification. Most other types of teachers generally do not require certification to work, but may require certification or licensure from their particular employer.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 4.5 million teaching jobs in the United States in 2008. In general, the employment prospects for teachers are expected to increase in line with the average expected job growth for other occupations, although the need for teachers varies greatly from area to area.
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