Why Teachers Are Leaving Their Noble Profession

Advisor April 1, 2023

School districts across the United States have long struggled with pay inequality and low pay for teachers, leading to pay cuts in their salaries over the years. Despite the fact that teaching is often considered a noble profession, many teachers continue to face pay disparities and inadequate pay due to budget shortfalls at the state and local levels.

Julia / Pexels | Living in an unstable economy and rising inflation, teachers can not keep up with the low salaries and pay cuts.

These pay cuts, coupled with increasing costs of living, have resulted in dissatisfaction among educators nationwide. As a result, these noble professionals are calling it quits.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on Teacher Salaries

According to recent research by the National Education Association (NEA), teacher pay has not kept pace with inflation over the past several decades, leading to pay gaps in teacher salaries across the country. The pandemic has further exacerbated this pay gap, with school districts cutting pay and benefits for educators due to the economic downturn caused by the virus.

In 2020 alone, over 2 million teachers faced pay cuts due to budget shortfalls related to COVID-19. This is particularly concerning given that nearly half of all public school teachers qualify for some form of government assistance, such as Medicaid or SNAP benefits. Furthermore, millions more have seen pay reductions due to unpaid furloughs or reduced working hours.

Tim / Pexels | In the outgoing year, roughly 1 million teachers called it quits because of low salaries.

The Impact on Teacher Wellbeing & Performance

Pay cuts have had a direct impact on teacher well-being and performance. Studies show that pay inequities can lead to lower morale, increased stress, burnout among teachers, and higher levels of absenteeism. This can, in turn, lead to a decrease in student achievement due to decreased motivation from educators.

In addition, pay cuts have impacted students by leading to teacher turnover rates. As pay gaps widen, more and more teachers are opting for other professions where pay is higher, and benefits are better. This could potentially result in a lack of qualified educators in the future, leading to potential academic deficits for students across the country.

How Much Do Teachers in the U.S. Make a Year?

According to the National Education Association, the average teacher pay in the United States is around $60,000 annually. However, pay varies greatly by state and region, with some states paying significantly more than others. For example, teachers in New York make an average of $81,902 per year, while those in South Dakota earn an average of only $45,737.

Pixabay / Pexels | While $60,000 is the average yearly salary of educators, it differs based on state and region.

Teacher pay also varies by grade level and experience. According to research by the Learning Policy Institute (LPI), elementary school teachers earn an average of $58,064 per year, while middle/high school teachers earn an average of $61,660.

On top of this pay disparity between grade levels, pay also increases with experience. The LPI found that, on average, a teacher’s salary increases by over 5% for each additional year of experience they have under their belt.