can you be financially comfortable as a teacher?

Question

You always hear about how teachers get paid so little, and I am in school to be an elementary school teacher. The money doesn't matter to me really, I love kids and the look in their eyes when something *clicks* gives me such an amazing feeling, but I dont want to be just barely scraping by either. Is the money as bad as people say? Can teachers be comfortable finance wise?

Answer 1

I live comfortably... maybe not as comfortably as I'd like, but I don't seem to have any more or less money than my other college grad friends. I do know that I won't ever make millions, and I can tell pretty much what I'll be making in ten years.

My income is steady, and predictable. I don't get bonuses, and I don't get paid during the summer, so I need to budget for that, but I have the car I want, I don't live in the 'hood, and I take some fairly nice vacations... not 4 star, but I'm good.

I also have a solvent retirement plan and a good medical insurance.

Answer 2

First of all, never listen to people who talk about top pay- it'll never apply to you because for one, you won't make that that much, starting teaching in New York City make around 45,000, and when you have worked long enough to make that much, the entire ball game will be different and who knows which systems will be paying more.

Over the years I've realized that all jobs sort of work out the same. Teachers do make less than another job, but as a teacher, you'll never feel obligated to eat at Applebees everyday for lunch. You also get about 8 weeks each summer to pull in anywhere between 2 to 8 thousand dollars depending on what you do (which can give you the same amount of money as everyone else).

At the least, making 500 dollars a week will feel very good to a college student in the beginning, but you'll soon find that it's not enough. One day you may find yourself making 1000 a week, but soon finding that it's not enough. But feel assured that there are millions of people out there that have even more obligations than you that survive, and you'll learn to too.

Answer 3

The people who tell how much money you can get paid here and there don't tell you that you have to pay taxes, and your paycheck quickly becomes very small, and the cost of living in different areas.

Try to be a new teacher in NY or San Francisco and having to pay 2k a month for an apartment...

If you live in the Northeast and the West Coast your paycheck will be big but only theoretically because you will pay a lot of money for gas and housing expenses. In other states in the Midwest you will make less money but you will probably will live better with your paycheck.

Answer 4

The best way to be financially comfortable as a teacher is to marry a millionaire!

Or, you could be sensible and live within your means. Unfortunately, this is not possible everywherel in a lot of areas the housing market is so high that teachers and other public servants are priced out of the market, especially in the nicer neighborhoods. There is talk of "workforce housing"--basically "projects" for teachers, firefighters, and policemen because they cannot afford to live in the areas in which they teach!

Answer 5

i am a single teacher and i also live comfortably. i have decent income that allows me to splurge on occasion and plan vacations and such. i have one child who doesn't get new game systems but saves his allowance to buy his own. we have a great home and a nice, new car.
the best financial aspect of teaching is that your job is secured. you are on contract and you know that money is coming in month after month. you know exactly how much you're getting and what you'll be earning next year. teachers qualify for excellent discounts when making major (sometimes even minor) purchases. when you file for credit or set up payments let them know you're a teacher and ask if there are discounts available. you'll be surprised how often the answer is yes.
as a teacher, your future is secure. you'll always have a job even if you move to another city or state. your vacations are assured and you know your schedule a year in advance. you are guaranteed sick days and you don't have to call in with excuses on why you can't make it to work.
your teaching job is what you make it. you can assign mounds of work and create elaborate lesson plans that require your day and night or you can keep lessons simple and grading minimal and get home early. as long as you do your job right the rewards are the same. you can sign up for extracurriculars for extra income or you can committ your afterschool time to a second job. OR you can leave grading in the classroom and go home to relax and enjoy "ME" time. you'll even have the time you need to sign up for night classes and advance your degree.

the money could be better. the money SHOULD be better considering we have been entrusted with the pliable minds of our most valued resources. but i know what i'm getting into year after year. i could change careers at any moment and still know i can come back at my leisure. teaching affords me the luxury of afterschool and vacation time to pursue other interests while providing me with a comfortable income to care for my child. i can't say i'm teaching for the warm fuzzies that you're talking about. but i know i do a damn good job. i'm satisfied in my profession and when i'm ready to advance the opportunities are there. other professions don't always offer such openness for vertical movement. what more could i ask for?

if i were married to someone making a comparable income, the result would be a far nicer lifestyle but i'm quite happy as a single mom teacher.

Answer 6

In Texas the starting teacher makes anywhere from 41000-44000; so can you be comfortable making that? I can and am. It is the paper work that gets to teachers, and the nonsense we have to deal with. I love the kids and the money in my eyes is alright.

Answer 7

The mistake the majority of people make is living above their earnings. You do not have to make a lot of money to be comfortable.
Live on the money you earn, don't create a lot of debt.
No matter what profession no one makes a lot of money in the beginning of their careers.

Control your life and you will be fine.

Answer 8

The money will never be "high" compared to other professions, but we get steady employment and benefits as a trade-off. Plus, one day, when my wife and I have kids, I can take entire summers with them. You can't put a price on that.

Answer 9

As long as you can live off of one apple given to you by a student.

Answer 10

teachers in NY state make $70-80,000