Teachers shape the next generation of leaders, innovators, and workers, yet teaching often pays less than other jobs that need similar schooling. This explainer looks at why low pay is a problem and how raising teacher salaries can help in three areas: keeping good teachers, improving student achievement, and strengthening the economy. It also covers the limits and trade-offs that policymakers and school leaders should keep in mind.
The figures below come from studies and data from the United States. They are not Philippine statistics, but the ideas apply to any school system that struggles to attract and keep qualified teachers.
On this page 7 sections
The problem with low teacher salaries
When teaching pays less than other professions, fewer highly qualified people choose it, and some who do become teachers later leave for better-paying work.
- The pay gap: According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for teachers in the United States is $39,249. The average starting salary for other college graduates is $50,944.
- Stagnant pay: Teacher salaries there have stayed flat over the past decade. In some states, pay has dropped once inflation is counted.
Low pay can lead to teacher shortages, especially in low-income areas. Shortages then bring:
- overcrowded classrooms
- lower student achievement
- less diversity in the teaching workforce
Benefits of higher teacher salaries
Keeping highly qualified teachers
Higher pay helps schools hold on to good teachers. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that a 10% increase in teacher salaries can reduce teacher turnover by 5 to 10%. This matters most in low-income schools, which tend to lose teachers more often and find it harder to hire qualified ones.
When experienced, skilled teachers stay:
- they are better able to engage and inspire students
- they are more likely to work well with colleagues
- schools build stronger teaching teams and a more positive school culture
Better student achievement
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research also found that higher teacher salaries are linked to higher student achievement, especially in math and science. Better pay can attract more qualified people into teaching. It can also encourage current teachers to keep improving their skills and knowledge.
Higher salaries can also mean teachers no longer need second jobs or extra paid duties such as coaching or tutoring. Those extra jobs can take time and energy away from the classroom. With better pay, teachers can put more of that time and energy into teaching and supporting their students.
A boost to the economy
Teachers are also consumers. When they earn more, they spend more, often in their own communities. That spending helps local businesses, creates jobs, and supports economic growth.
Over the long term, keeping skilled people in teaching produces a better-educated workforce. Since education is a key driver of growth and innovation, this benefits the whole economy.
Challenges and considerations
Raising teacher pay is not simple, and it is not the whole answer.
- Limited funding. Education budgets are often tight. More money for salaries may mean less for other important programs.
- Pay alone is not enough. Class size, school resources, and teacher training also affect student achievement and teacher retention.
- Equity matters. Salary increases should not widen existing gaps. Low-income schools and schools serving many minority students have long had a harder time attracting and keeping qualified teachers. Closing these gaps may need targeted policies.
What this means for educators and stakeholders
For teachers, school leaders, and other education stakeholders, the case is clear: keeping qualified teachers and raising student achievement leads to a more effective and fair education system, and the economic gains reach local communities too.
Educators and stakeholders can:
- advocate for policies that prioritize teacher salaries, especially in low-income areas and places with teacher shortages
- work to reduce inequities so that every student has access to highly qualified teachers
Other ways to support the teaching profession
Beyond salaries, policymakers and stakeholders can also consider:
- more professional development opportunities for teachers
- better school resources and facilities
- action on deeper problems such as racial and economic inequality in education
The COVID-19 pandemic showed how much students and schools depend on teachers. It also brought budget cuts and uncertainty about education funding. Meeting these challenges will take new solutions and a renewed commitment to investing in education.
The bottom line
Raising teacher salaries is an important step toward a more effective and fair education system. It helps keep qualified teachers, supports student achievement, and builds a more skilled workforce and a stronger economy. Investing in teachers is an investment in the future of society.
Frequently asked questions
How much less do teachers earn than other college graduates?
According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for teachers in the United States is $39,249, compared with $50,944 for other college graduates. These are US figures, not Philippine data.
Do higher salaries really help keep teachers in their jobs?
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that a 10% increase in teacher salaries can reduce teacher turnover by 5 to 10%. The effect matters most in low-income schools, which lose teachers more often.
How does teacher pay affect student learning?
Higher teacher salaries are linked to higher student achievement, especially in math and science. Better pay attracts more qualified people and means teachers need fewer second jobs, so they can focus more on their students.
Is raising teacher salaries enough to fix the education system?
No. Class size, school resources, and teacher training also affect learning and retention, and limited budgets mean salary increases may require trade-offs with other programs.
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